Acid anhydride, amides from nucleophilic acyl substitution

Among the most important reactions of carboxylic acids are those that convert the carboxyl group into an acid derivative by a nucleophilic acyl substitution. Acid chlorides, anhydrides, esters, and amides can all be prepared from carboxylic acids (Figure 21.4). 

These reactions are used to make anhydrides, carboxylic acids, esters, and amides, but not acid chlorides, from other acyl compounds. Acid chlorides are the most reactive acyl compounds (they have the best leaving group), so they are not easily formed as a product of nucleophilic substitution reactions. They can only be prepared from carboxylic acids using special reagents, as discussed in Section 22.10A. 

This chapter will revisit the lUPAC nomenclature system for aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids, as well as introduce nomenclature for the four main acid derivatives acid chlorides, anhydrides, esters, and amides. The chapter will show the similarity of a carbonyl and an alkene in that both react with a Br0nsted-Lowry acid or a Lewis acid. The reaction of a carbonyl compound with an acid will generate a resonance stabilized oxocarbenium ion. Ketones and aldehydes react with nucleophiles by what is known as acyl addition to give an alkoxide product, which is converted to an alcohol in a second chemical step. Acid derivatives differ from aldehydes or ketones in that a leaving group is attached to the carbonyl carbon. Acid derivatives react with nucleophiles by what is known as acyl substitution, via a tetrahedral intermediate. 

This chapter will discuss methods for the preparation of esters, acid chlorides, anhydrides, and amides from carboxylic acids, based on acyl substitution reactions. Acyl substitution reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives will include hydrolysis, interconversion of one acid derivative into another, and reactions with strong nucleophiles such as organometallic reagents. In addition, the chemistry of dicarboxylic acid derivatives will be discussed, as well as cyclic esters, amides, and anhydrides. Sulfonic acid derivatives will be introduced as well as sulfate esters and phosphate esters. Finally, nitriles will be shown to be acid derivatives by virtue of their reactivity. 

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