7: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives- Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Reactions
The compounds discussed in this chapter are all considered to be derived from carboxylic acids, and include acid halides, acid anhydrides, esters and amides (thioesters and acyl phosphates are also briefly mentioned). As you proceed through the chapter, you should be looking for similarities in behaviour among the various classes of compounds. These similarities can be readily understood once you appreciate the fact that, in most of their reactions, carboxylic acid derivatives react via the nucleophilic acyl substitution mechanism.
In this chapter, we describe the nomenclature of the various types of carboxylic acid derivatives, and explain the relative reactivity of these compounds in terms of resonance contributions to the ground state of each type of compound.
We describe the reactions of carboxylic acids, acid halides, acid anhydrides, esters, amides, polyamides and polyesters in detail, and discuss the biological importance of thiol esters briefly. The chapter concludes with a look at how infrared spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy can be used in the identification of unknown carboxylic acid derivatives.
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- 7.3: Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Reactions
- This page explores nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions, a key process in organic chemistry where a nucleophile attacks a carbonyl carbon of a carboxylic acid derivative. The mechanism involves the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate, followed by the departure of a leaving group. The discussion includes examples with various derivatives like esters and amides, highlighting factors that influence reaction rates and outcomes.
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- 7.4: Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Reactions of Carboxylic Acids
- This page discusses the reactions of carboxylic acids, focusing on their behavior in nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions. It covers the reactivity of carboxylic acids, their derivatives, and the conditions that influence these reactions. Key reactions include esterification, acid chloride formation, and the hydrolysis of esters. The significance of the functional groups present and their impact on reactivity is also highlighted. Understanding these reactions is crucial for organic synthesis