Question

Butanoic anhydride can be produced by the reaction of butanoic acid with which of the following compounds? (A) Butanoic acid (B) Ethanoic acid (C) Butanol (D) Methanal

Short answer

The correct answer is (A) Butanoic acid.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Reaction Type

Butanoic anhydride is an acid anhydride, typically formed by the condensation of two carboxylic acids.

- Identify the Reactants

For forming butanoic anhydride, the reactants must be related to butanoic acid. Acid anhydrides are formed from the reaction between two molecules of carboxylic acid (R-COOH).

- Match the Correct Compound

Among the given options, butanoic anhydride can be formed by the reaction of two molecules of butanoic acid (C3H7COOH). Butanoic acid contains the required carboxyl groups for the formation of the anhydride.

- Confirm the Answer

Butanoic acid reacts with itself to form butanoic anhydride, so the correct compound is butanoic acid.

Key concepts

carboxylic acids

Carboxylic acids are a group of organic compounds characterized by the presence of at least one carboxyl group (-COOH). These acids are known for their distinctive properties like sour taste and pungent smell. The carboxyl group consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to the same carbon atom. Carboxylic acids can engage in various chemical reactions, making them versatile in organic chemistry. One of the most common reactions involving carboxylic acids is the formation of acid anhydrides.

condensation reactions

Condensation reactions are a type of chemical reaction where two molecules combine, losing a small molecule in the process, often water. In organic chemistry, condensation reactions are fundamental for creating larger and more complex molecules. A prime example is the formation of acid anhydrides from two carboxylic acids. In this reaction, two carboxyl groups from each acid molecule react, releasing a molecule of water (H2O) and forming the anhydride linkage (R-CO-O-COR). This process is essential for synthesizing various organic compounds, including anhydrides and esters.

organic chemistry reactions

Organic chemistry involves a wide range of reactions for transforming simple molecules into more complex structures. Some key reaction types include:

• Substitution reactions: One atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by another.
• Addition reactions: Atoms or groups of atoms are added to a double or triple bond.
• Elimination reactions: Atoms or groups of atoms are removed from a molecule, creating double or triple bonds.
• Condensation reactions: Two molecules combine and release a small molecule such as water.

These reactions are crucial for the synthesis of complex molecules that are vital in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and materials science.

butanoic anhydride synthesis

Butanoic anhydride synthesis is a specific example of an acid anhydride formation. It involves the condensation of two molecules of butanoic acid (C3H7COOH). The mechanism includes:

• Two carboxyl groups from separate butanoic acid molecules align.
• One hydroxyl group (OH) from one molecule reacts with the hydrogen atom (H) from the carboxyl group of the other molecule, releasing a water molecule (H2O).
• The remaining oxygen atoms form a bond, resulting in the acid anhydride linkage (R-CO-O-COR).

In the context of this exercise, the correct reactant to form butanoic anhydride is butanoic acid itself, highlighting the importance of understanding carboxylic acid reactivity in organic synthesis.