Chapter 19: Carboxylic Acids

Preparation of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

	acyl chlorides
	acid anhydrides
	esters
	amides
	carboxylates

Reaction type:  Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution

Overview

• In principle, all carboxylic acids derivatives can be made from the parent carboxylic acid see above.
• In practice, there may be better methods, e.g. amides are more readily prepared from the more reactive acyl chlorides.
• However, appreciating the relationship between these groups is important and useful.

Study Tip: Disconnect carboxylic acids derivatives back to the parent acid plus the related component. For example, an ester to the acid plus the alcohol:

© Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry