Question

Acetic anhydride is formed from acetic acid in a condensation reaction that involves the removal of a molecule of water from between two acetic acid molecules. Write the chemical equation for this process, and show the structure of acetic anhydride.

Short answer

The condensation reaction for acetic anhydride formation from acetic acid is given by the equation: \[2 \, CH_3COOH \rightarrow (CH_3CO)_2O + H_2O\] The structure of acetic anhydride is: ``` O O || || CH3-C-O-C-CH3 ```

Step-by-step solution

Write the chemical formula of acetic acid

First, we need to remember the chemical formula of acetic acid. Acetic acid has the formula CH₃COOH.

Write the condensation reaction for acetic anhydride

In the condensation reaction, a molecule of water (H₂O) is removed from between two acetic acid molecules. Therefore, the chemical equation for the formation of acetic anhydride from acetic acid is: \[2 \, CH_3COOH \rightarrow (CH_3CO)_2O + H_2O\] In this equation, we show that two molecules of acetic acid react to form one molecule of acetic anhydride ((CH₃CO)₂O) and one molecule of water (H₂O).

Show the structure of acetic anhydride

Now, let's draw the molecular structure of acetic anhydride. Acetic anhydride has the structure: ``` O O || || CH3-C-O-C-CH3 ``` This structure shows an oxygen atom bonded to the carbonyl groups (C=O) of two acetyl groups (CH₃CO) in a symmetrical arrangement.