Q15.56 P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

What reaction type is common to the formation of esters and acid anhydrides? What is the other product?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

As esters are formed by the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohol, anhydride is formed by carboxylic acid only.

Step 1: Formation of esters

The formation of ester occurs by the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohol 

The first carbonyl oxygen of carboxylic acid takes the proton. Alcoholic oxygen attacks on carbonyl carbon and followed by proton transfer, and then elimination of water leads to deprotonation and ester formation occurs as shown below:

Ester formation

Step 2: Formation of anhydride

The reaction of anhydride formation is followed by the reaction of carboxylic acid, which leads to deprotonation and then reaction with acyl chloride followed by removal of chloride ion, and the anhydride formation occurs.

Formation of acidic anhydride