Conversion to acid chloride [SOCl2]
Thionyl chloride converts carboxylic acids into acid chlorides. This reaction liberates HCl and SO2 gas.
Carboxylic Acids
5 reactions in this topic, each with the reagents, the mechanism and the structure of the product.
Conversion to carboxylic acids [H2O]
Treatment of acid chlorides with water leads to the formation of carboxylic acids. This is called hydrolysis of acid chlorides.
Decarboxylation [of β-keto acids]
When carboxylic acids containing a carbonyl group two bonds away (on the β carbon) are heated, carbon dioxide is lost.
Deprotonation [carboxylate formation]
When treated with base, carboxylic acids form carboxylate salts.
Reduction [LiAlH4]
Addition of lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) to carboxylic acids leads to the formation of primary alcohols (after addition of ac