How are anhydrides formed?

1 Answer
anor277
May 16, 2016

By condensation of two carboxylic acids:

RC(=O)OH+HO(O=)CR→RC(=O)O(O=)CR+H2O

Explanation:

As represented above, 2 carboxylic acids can condense, with the elimination of water. As is typical of organic reactions, here, the nucleophile, the hydroxy group, has attacked the electrophile, the carbonyl carbon on the other reactant, with the elimination of water. A dehydrating agent is commonly used, to drive the equilibrium to the right.

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