4.6 Acylation

Question 1

what is the functional group in acyl chlorides?

Answer 1

-COCl

Question 2

how are acyl chlorides synthesised?

Answer 2

by reacting carboxylic acids with phosphorus (V) chloride

Question 3

what is the name ending of acyl chlorides?

Answer 3

oyl chloride

Question 4

why are acyl chlorides more susceptible to nucleophillic attack than chloroalkanes?

Answer 4

due to the electronegative oxygen also attached to the carbon atom

Question 5

how are acid anhydrides synthesised?

Answer 5

by dehydrating a carboxylic acid

Question 6

Why are acid anhydrides preferred to acyl chlorides in industry?

Answer 6

acid anhydrides are cheaper, less reactive, and release carboxylic acids, rather than fumes of hydrogen chloride

Question 7

what is the mechanism for producing carboxylic acids, esters, or amides from acyl chlorides?

Answer 7

nucleophilic addition-elimination

Question 8

what are some of the disadvantages of using natural resources for medicines compared to synthesising the chemicals artificially?

Answer 8

• the source may be rare
• the concentration may vary between sources
• the extract may be contaminated

Question 9

what is the name of the drug acetylsalicylic acid?

Answer 9

aspirin

Question 10

what is used to synthesise aspirin?

Answer 10

either ethanoyl chloride or ethanoic anhydride (which is safer and cheaper, and therefore preferred)