Preparation
The condensation of two carboxylic acid functions yields anhydrides.
The reaction is especially useful when it is intramolecularly carried out.
Click here to review the general addition-elimination mechanism of this reaction.
The preparation of mixed anhydrides, i.e. those produced from two different carboxylic acids, needs the previous activation of one of them. Otherwise, a mixture of three anhydrides would obviously be obtained.
