Acid anhydride
An overview of acid anhydrides in organic chemistry
Introduction[edit | edit source]
An acid anhydride is a type of chemical compound derived from an acid by the removal of a molecule of water. Acid anhydrides are commonly used in organic chemistry as reagents and intermediates in various chemical reactions. They are characterized by the presence of two acyl groups bonded to the same oxygen atom.
Structure and Nomenclature[edit | edit source]
Acid anhydrides are typically represented by the general formula (RCO)_O, where R represents an alkyl or aryl group. The nomenclature of acid anhydrides is derived from the parent carboxylic acids. For example, the anhydride formed from acetic acid is called acetic anhydride.
Types of Acid Anhydrides[edit | edit source]
Acid anhydrides can be classified into two main types:
Carboxylic Anhydrides[edit | edit source]
Carboxylic anhydrides are derived from carboxylic acids. They are the most common type of acid anhydrides and are widely used in synthesis and industrial chemistry.
Inorganic Anhydrides[edit | edit source]
Inorganic anhydrides are derived from inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. These anhydrides are often used in chemical reactions as dehydrating agents.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Acid anhydrides are reactive compounds that readily undergo hydrolysis to form the corresponding acids. They also participate in nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions, making them valuable intermediates in the synthesis of esters, amides, and other derivatives.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Acid anhydrides are used in a variety of applications, including:
- As reagents in the synthesis of esters and amides.
- In the production of acetic anhydride, which is used in the manufacture of cellulose acetate and aspirin.
- As dehydrating agents in organic synthesis.
Safety and Handling[edit | edit source]
Acid anhydrides are typically corrosive and can cause severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Proper safety precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), should be taken when handling these compounds.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
