SolutionsAcid (Acyl) Halides Formation
1. With thionyl chloride
Write the reaction of butanoic acid with thionyl chloride. Why does it go to completion?
CH3CH2CH2COOH + SOCl2 → CH3CH2CH2COCl (butanoyl chloride) + SO2 + HCl.
Both by-products are gases that escape from the reaction and shift the equilibria towards the acid chloride.
2. A very useful intermediate
What is obtained when acetyl chloride is treated with: a) ethanol; b) water?
- Ethyl acetate and HCl.
- Acetic acid and HCl: this is why acid chlorides must be protected from moisture.