Asked in KMU MDCAT 2023 2023Moderate

In conversion of acid halides to Ester, pyridine is used to:

Correct answer: B. Consume HCl formed in the reaction

  • A. Stabilize acid halides
  • B. Consume HCl formed in the reaction
  • C. Dehydrate alcohol
  • D. Dehydrogenate acid halides

Explanation

This option is correct. During the reaction of acid halides with alcohols to form esters, hydrogen halide (such as HCl) is released as a byproduct. Pyridine, being a weak base, reacts with the HCl to form pyridinium chloride, effectively neutralizing the acid. This helps to shift the reaction equilibrium toward the formation of the ester.

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About Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Carboxylic acid derivatives include acid halides, acid anhydrides, esters and amides, formed by replacing the hydroxyl group of a carboxylic acid. Their nomenclature, structures, preparation, hydrolysis and relative reactivity are linked through nucleophilic acyl substitution, which differs from the nucleophilic addition reactions of aldehydes and ketones.

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