Chapter 16. Carboxylic Acids and Others
Recommended Post: 【Organic Chemistry】 Organic Chemistry Table of Contents
1. Overview
5. Esters
6. Amides
7. Nitriles
1. Overview
⑴ Common Reaction Principles
① Nucleophilic Attack, Electrophilic Attack
② Proton Transfer: Occurs intermolecularly between molecules rather than intramolecularly within a molecule
③ Tautomerization: Enol ↔ Ketone
④ Work-up: Precise identification of the base is not necessary
⑵ Properties
① Physical Properties
○ Carboxylic acids stabilize in dimeric forms due to hydrogen bonding
○ The dimeric structure results in carboxylic acids producing infrared absorption spectra around 2500-3000 cm-1
② Comparison of Carbonyl Compound Reactivities
○ acyl halide > acid anhydride > aldehyde > ketone > ester ~ carboxylic acid> amide > carboxylate ion
⑶ Carbonyl Compound Reaction Types
① Type 1: When the nucleophilicity of Y- is greater than that of X-
○ Type 1 is frequently observed in acyl chlorides
○ Carboxylic acids and others also exhibit a similar prevalence of Type 1
○ Aldehydes and ketones rarely undergo reactions of Type 1
Figure 1. Carbonyl Compound Reaction Type 1
② Type 2: When the nucleophilicity of Y- is smaller than that of X-
○ Most aldehydes and ketones follow Type 2
○ Even other reactions often seem to be merely an application of Type 2.
Figure 2. Carbonyl Compound Reaction Type 2
③ Type 3: Enone and 1,2-Addition Reaction: Occurs when the nucleophile is a strong nucleophile (e.g., Grignard reagent)
Figure 3. Carbonyl Compound Reaction Type 3
④ Type 4: Enone and 1,4-Addition Reaction (Michael addition): Occurs when the nucleophile is a weak nucleophile (e.g., MeSH)
Figure 4. Carbonyl Compound Reaction Type 4
2. Carboxylic Acids
⑴ Nomenclature
① Replace the -e of the alkane with -oic acid for naming
② Systemic nomenclature: Carbon number 1 becomes the carbon of -COOH
③ Common nomenclature: Adjacent carbon to -COOH becomes the α carbon
④ If there are alkenes, alkynes, etc., in the main chain, alkanoic acid becomes alkenoic acid, alkynoic acid, etc.
Figure 5. propenoic acid and propynoic acid
⑤ Comparison of Systemic Nomenclature (left) and Common Nomenclature (right)
○ Methanoic acid / Formic acid
○ Ethanoic acid / Acetic acid
○ Propanoic acid / Propionic acid
○ Butanoic acid / Butyric acid
○ Pentanoic acid / Valeric acid
○ Hexanoic acid / Caproic acid
○ Propenoic acid / Acrylic acid
○ 2-methoxybutanoic acid / α-methoxybutyric acid
○ 3-bromopentanoic acid / β-bromovaleric acid
○ 4-chlorohexanoic acid / γ-chlorocaproic acid
⑵ Reaction 1: Nucleophilic Addition Reaction
① Reaction 1-1: Formation of Acyl Chlorides: Formation of acyl chlorides through treatment with SOCl2
Figure 6. Mechanism of Acyl Chloride Formation
Figure 7. Reaction for Generating phtaloyl chloride from phthalic acid
② Reaction 1-2: Fischer Esterification
○ (Formula) RCOOH + HOR’ react under acidic conditions to form RCOOR’ + H2O
○ Carboxylic acids do not undergo acetal formation reactions, so they do not compete with Fischer esterification.
○ The reason that proton attaches to =O rather than -OH under acidic catalysis
○ Assumption: ROH must form a tetrahedral intermediate with carboxylic acid to facilitate the departure of the leaving group
○ Proton attaching to -OH: ROH results in =O becoming -O- and -OH becoming -OH2+, making the molecule unstable
○ Proton attaching to =O: ROH results in =OH+ becoming -OH, and the original -OH remains unchanged, stabilizing the intermediate
Figure 8. Fischer Esterification Mechanism
○ Under basic catalysis, only the acid-base reaction occurs, converting -COOH to -COO-
③ Reaction 1-3: Amide Formation through Amine Addition
○ Reaction Conditions: Δ, EDC, DIC, or DCC
○ EDC: 1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide)
○ DIC: Diisopropylcarbodiimide
○ DCC: N,N‘-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide
Figure 9. Mechanism of Amide Formation through Amine Addition
○ Point 1: EDC / NHS Chemistry
Figure 10. EDC/NHS Coupling
○ 1st. EDC reacts with the carboxyl group of the target molecule
○ 2nd. NHS stabilizes the EDC intermediate: Because the EDC intermediate can react with water
○ In other words, NHS prevents extensive reaction with water, promoting rapid amine reaction
○ 3rd. Amines are attached to form amide bonds
○ Additional Notes
○ Generally, protocols indicate that EDC and NHS are added simultaneously to the target molecule solution.
○ Adding NHS first does not cause it to react with the target molecule
○ NHS (N-hydroxysuccinimide) Supplementation
○ NHS is the most frequently used activated ester
○ NHS-amine labeling is usually done in water as a solvent
○ Since NHS decreases water solubility, DMSO or DMF is sometimes added.
○ For reactions where water solubility is crucial, sulfo NHS is used
○ Point 2: Difference between EDC and DCC: EDC and DCC perform similar roles overall
○ EDC: Generates a water-soluble byproduct (urea byproduct) within 1 day
○ DCC: Performs the role of EDC in organic solvents, forming DCU
○ Point 3: Various Application Cases
Figure 11. Various Application Cases of Amide Formation through Amine Addition
④ Reaction 1-4: Carboxylic Acid Reduction
○ NaBH4: No reaction occurs
○ LiAlH4: Reduces carboxylic acids to alcohols through an aldehyde intermediate.
Figure 12. Carboxylic Acid Reduction by LiAlH4
○ BH3/THF: Reaction occurs
Figure 13. Carboxylic Acid Reduction by BH3/THF
⑤ Reaction 1-5: Organic Lithium Reaction: Forms ketones
Figure 14. Mechanism of Organic Lithium Reaction
⑥ Reaction 1-6: Exchange Reaction of -OH in Carboxylic Acid: Confirmed by isotopic effect
⑶ Other Reactions
① Hell-Vollhard-Zelinsky Reaction (HVZ Reaction)
○ Reaction of carboxylic acids at the α position with bromine or chlorine in the presence of phosphorus
○ Application 1. RCOCl + NCS, HCl, SOCl2, 70 ℃
○ Application 2. RCOCl + NBS, HBr, SOCl2, 70 ℃
○ Application 3. RCOCl + I2, HI, SOCl2, 85 ℃
② Hundsdiecker Reaction: RCOOAg + Br2, CCl4 → R-Br
③ Kochi Reaction: A variation of the Hundsdiecker Reaction. RCOOH + Pb(OAC)4, + LiCl - CO2 → R-Cl + LiPb(OAc)3 + HOAc
④ After converting the carboxylic acid to its dianion form, an alkylation reaction occurs at the alpha position. 1. NaH, 55 ℃, THF, 2. LDA, 10-35 ℃
⑷ Major Mistakes Related to Carboxylic Acid Reactions
① Alkoxide and Carboxylic Acid
Figure 15. Alkoxide and Carboxylic Acid
② Grignard Reagent and Carboxylic Acid
Figure 16. Grignard Reagent and Carboxylic Acid
⑸ Synthesis Methods
① Oxidation of Alkenes: 1. KMnO4, OH-, heat, 2. H3O+ / 1. O3, 2. H2O2
② Oxidation of Alkyl Benzenes: 1. KMnO4, OH-, heat, 2. H3O+ leads R-Me to become R-COOH
③ Oxidation of the Benzene Ring Itself: 1. O3, CH3CO2H, 2. H2O2 leads R-Ph to become R-COOH
④ Oxidation of Primary Alcohols: 1. KMnO4, OH-, heat, 2. H3O+ / H2CrO4
⑤ Oxidation of Aldehydes: Ag(NH3)2+OH- (Silver Mirror Reaction) or H2CrO4
⑥ Oxidative Cleavage of Ketones: 1. KMnO4, H2O, NaOH, 2. H3O+
⑦ Haloform Reaction: 1. X2 / NaOH, 2. H3O+
Figure 17. Cyanide Hydrolysis
⑨ Decarboxylation Reaction of Malonic Acid or Malonic Acid Esters
⑩ Carbonation Reaction of Grignard Reagent
○ Grignard reagents are used in ether solvents
○ CO2 is supplied in the form of dry ice
Figure 18. Carbonation Reaction Types of Grignard Reagent Type 1
3. Acyl Chlorides
⑴ Nomenclature
① If the parent chain is cyclic, add carbonyl halide as a suffix to cycloalkane and name it.
② For substituents in a chain, name them in alphabetical order followed by -oxo.
③ For substituents in a cyclic compound, add halocarbonyl as a prefix and name it.
④ Comparison between systematic naming (left) and common naming (right)
○ ethanoyl chloride / acetyl chloride
○ 3-methylpentanoyl chloride / β-methylvaleryl chloride
⑵ Characteristics
① Acyl chlorides are highly reactive and can react with moisture in the air.
② Acidity: H3O+ < HCl, Basicity: H2O > Cl-
⑶ Reaction 1. Nucleophilic addition reaction
① Reaction 1-1. Reaction with carboxylates: Forms anhydrides. CH3CO2-
② Reaction 1-2. Reaction with alcohols to form esters
③ Reaction 1-3. Reaction with amines to form amides
○ Since the above reaction is not a step-by-step process, adding a small amount of amine will result in some amine performing the work-up, leading to the presence of three different states.
○ Generally, excess of 2 equivalents of amine is used: Only products are formed.
Figure 19. Mechanism of amide formation reaction
④ Reaction 1-4. Formation of carboxylic acids through hydrolysis: H3O+
⑤ Reaction 1-5. Alpha halogenation reaction: HX, SOCl2
⑷ Reaction 2. Reduction reaction
① Reaction 2-1. Reaction with NaBH4, LAH to generate primary alcohols: 1. LiAlH4, 2. H3O+
② Reaction 2-2. Reaction with LiAlH(O-t-Bu3)3 to generate aldehydes: 1. LiAlH(OC(CH3)3)3, 2. H2O
③ Reaction 2-3. Rosenmund reduction: H2 / Pd, Quinoline, BaSO4
⑸ Reaction 3. Reaction with organometallic reagents
① Reaction 3-1. Reaction with Grignard reagents to generate tertiary alcohols: 1. 2 RMgX, 2. H3O+
② Reaction 3-2. Reaction with Gilman reagents to generate ketones: (Ph)2CuLi, ether
⑹ Reaction 4. Ketone formation via Benzene and Friedel-Crafts acylation
⑺ Reaction 5. Rearrangement reactions
① Reaction 5-1. Curtius rearrangement
○ Reaction where isocyanate and nitrogen gas are formed from acyl azides
○ Although related to azide portion, the problems usually start with acyl chlorides
○ Importance: Widely used for amine synthesis
Figure 20. Curtius rearrangement mechanism (applications)
② Reaction 5-2. Wolff rearrangement
○ Ag2O + H2O forms OH-. Δ or hν promotes H detachment
○ Wolff rearrangement occurs with aldehydes and ketones
○ Wolff rearrangement doesn’t happen with carboxylic acids
○ (Formula) Acyl chloride + diazomethane → diazo ketone → ketene
○ Although related to azide portion, the problems usually start with acyl chlorides
Figure 21. Wolff rearrangement mechanism
③ Reaction 5-3. Formation of ketene upon treatment with tertiary amines
⑻ Synthesis Methods
① Carboxylic acid + SOCl2
Figure 22. Acyl chloride synthesis using carboxylic acid and SOCl2
② PCl3
③ PCl5
4. Acid Anhydrides
⑴ Nomenclature
① Remove “acid” from carboxylic acid and add “anhydride” to name anhydrides.
② For cyclic compounds, add “carboxylic anhydride” as a suffix to cycloalkane.
③ For substituents in chains, use alkanoyloxy- or common name + oxy as a prefix.
④ For substituents in cyclic compounds, use alkanoylcarbonyl or common name + carbonyl as a prefix.
⑤ For cyclic anhydrides, add “alkanedioic anhydride” as a suffix to alkane: Common names are often used.
⑥ Comparison between systematic naming (left) and common naming (right)
○ ethanoic anhydride / acetic anhydride, symmetrical anhydride
○ ethanoic methanoic anhydride / acetic formic anhydride, mixed anhydride
⑵ Reactions
① Reaction 1. Nucleophilic addition reaction
○ 1-1. Formation of carboxylic acid: Hydrolysis reaction
Figure 23. Formation of carboxylic acid through hydrolysis of anhydride
○ 1-2. Ester formation reaction: Anhydride + alcohol or carboxylic acid
Figure 24. Esterification reaction of anhydride
○ 1-3. Amide formation reaction: Anhydride + ammonia/imine + NaOH
Figure 25. Amide formation reaction
○ 1-4. Formation of imides from cyclic anhydrides and ammonia: NH3, H2O, H3O+
○ 1-5. Reaction with alcohols to form esters: pyridine / (CF3CO)2O, R’OH
② Reaction 2. Nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction (SNAr)
○ 2-1. Reaction with aromatic compounds and nitration: Occurs under HNO3
Figure 26. Furan and nitration
○ 2-2. Reaction with aromatic compounds and Friedel-Crafts acylation to form ketones: Occurs under BF3
Figure 27. Furan undergoing Friedel-Crafts acylation
○ 2-3. Synthesis of fluorescein: phthalic anhydride + 2 × resorcinol → fluorescein (catalyst: ZnCl2)
Figure 28. Fluorescein synthesis
③ Reaction 3. Oxidation reactions
○ Reaction with Grignard, organolithium reagents to form secondary, tertiary alcohols: 1. 2RMgX, 2. H3O+
○ Reaction with NaBH4, LAH to generate methyl, primary alcohols: 1. LiAlH4, 2. H3O+
○ Imine dehydration reaction: Reaction of HRC=N-OH with anhydride produces R-C≡N
④ Cases where no reaction occurs
○ Anhydride is not converted to acyl chloride when treated with NaCl.
○ Doesn’t react with SOCl2
○ Doesn’t react with Gilman reagents
⑶ Synthesis Methods
① Carboxylic acid + heat / P2O5
Figure 29. Acid anhydride synthesis
5. Esters
⑴ Nomenclature
① Systematic naming: List substituents on O first, then remove -ic acid from carboxylic acid naming and add -ate.
② For cyclic compounds, add carboxylate to cycloalkane.
③ For substituents in chains, name them as number - alkoxy - number - oxo.
④ For substituents in cyclic compounds, use alkoxy carbonyl as a prefix.
⑤ Comparison between systematic naming (left) and common naming (right)
○ ethyl ethanoate / ethyl acetate
○ phenyl propanoate / phenyl propionate
○ methyl 3-bromobutanoate / methyl β-bromobutyrate
⑥ Systematic naming of carboxylic acid conjugate bases (left) and common naming (right)
○ sodium methanoate / sodium formate
○ potassium ethanoate / potassium acetate
⑵ Reaction 1. Nucleophilic addition reaction
① Reaction 1-1. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction: Because the reverse reaction is also possible, a specific equilibrium state is reached.
Figure 30. Ester hydrolysis reaction mechanism
② Reaction 1-2. Saponification reaction: Base-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction
○ Reaction conditions example: 1. NaOH, H2O, 2. HCl, H2O
○ The reaction does not proceed in the reverse direction due to the concentration of leaving group (i.e. OH-) determined by pH.
Figure 31. Saponification reaction mechanism
③ Reaction 1-3. Trans-esterification reaction: Can occur under both acidic and basic conditions
Figure 32. Trans-esterification reaction
④ Reaction 1-4. Reaction leading to amide formation with amines
Figure 33. Reaction leading to amide formation with amines
⑤ Reaction 1-5. Polymerization reaction using cyclic esters as monomers: Ring-opening reaction occurs iteratively
⑶ Reaction 2. Reduction reaction
① Reaction 2-1. Alcohol formation reaction with LAH (LiAlH4)
Figure 34. Alcohol formation reaction with LAH
② Reaction 2-2. NaBH4 reduction reaction
○ Less electrophilic than aldehydes and ketones, so esters are not completely reduced by NaBH4.
○ At low temperatures, esters can only be reduced to aldehydes.
○ NaBH4 can only reduce esters under AlCl3, generally not capable of reducing carboxylic acids.
Figure 35. NaBH4 reduction reaction equation
③ Reaction 2-3. Reduction reaction with DIBAL-H ([(CH3)2CHCH2]2AlH)
Figure 36. Reduction reaction with DIBAL-H
⑷ Reaction 3. Acid-base reactions
① Overview
○ Esters are less acidic than aldehydes and ketones
○ Reason: The conjugate base of an ester competes with the resonance lone pair of the ester, preventing resonance stabilization
② Reaction 3-1. Alpha halogenation of esters: 1. LDA, THF, 2. Br2
⑸ Reaction 4. Oxidation reactions
① Reaction 4-1. Reaction with organometallic reagents
○ Use sufficient organic reagent to ensure complete reaction since esters, ketones, and alcohols coexist
○ Requires 2 equivalents of organic reagent for complete reaction, slightly exceeding that in practice
Figure 37. Tertiary alcohol formation reaction with Grignard reagent addition
⑹ Reaction 5. Decarboxylation reaction: Requires high temperatures
Figure 38. Ester decarboxylation reaction
⑺ Reaction 6. Claisen rearrangement reaction of orthoesters
Figure 39. Claisen rearrangement reaction of orthoester
⑻ Synthesis Methods
① Ester synthesis using diazomethane: H2C-N≡N
② Synthesis through alkylation reaction by SN2 of carboxylate
④ Fischer esterification: Acid-catalyzed esterification reaction
⑤ Carboxylic acid + intramolecular esterification → lactone (cyclic ester)
6. Amides
⑴ Nomenclature
① Mention substituents attached to the amide nitrogen first
○ N-cyclohexylpropanamide
○ N-ethyl-_N_-methylpentanamide
○ N,N-diethylbutanamide
② Carbon of C=O becomes carbon 1, similar to a carbonyl group
③ If alkyl-substituted at nitrogen, prefix N- to the substituent name
④ In cyclic cases, add carboxamide after cycloalkane
⑤ In chain cases treated as substituents, name as number - alkylamino - number - oxo
⑥ In cyclic cases treated as substituents, name as alkylcarbamoyl
⑦ Comparison of systematic naming (left) and common naming (right)
○ ethamide / acetamide
○ 4-chlorobutanamide / γ-chlorobutyramide
⑵ Properties
① Primary and secondary amides can form dimers through intermolecular hydrogen bonding
② Boiling point of amides is higher than carboxylic acids
⑶ Reaction 1. Amide hydrolysis reaction
① Reaction 1-1. Acid-catalyzed amide hydrolysis reaction
Figure 40. Acid-catalyzed amide hydrolysis reaction
② Reaction 1-2. Base-catalyzed amide hydrolysis reaction
Figure 41. Base-catalyzed amide hydrolysis reaction
③ Reaction 1-3. Reaction with LiAlH4 to form amine: Requires 2 equivalents of LiAlH4
Figure 42. Reaction mechanism of amine formation from amide using LiAlH4
⑷ Reaction 2. Other reactions
① Reaction 2-1. Oxidation reaction: Does not react with Grignard reagents
② Reaction 2-2. Polymerization reaction via ring opening of cyclic amides as monomers
③ Reaction 2-3. Hofmann rearrangement reaction
○ Reactant is halogen gas, and intermediates include haloamide, isocyanate, carbamic acid.
Figure 43. Hofmann rearrangement reaction
④ Reaction 2-4. Bischler-Napieralski reaction: Ring formation reaction
Figure 44. Bischler-Napieralski reaction
⑤ Reaction 2-5. Luminol reaction
Figure 45. Luminol reaction
○ Component 1. Luminol reagent: White or yellow solid. Hydrophobic. Produces blue light when mixed with oxidizer
○ Component 2. Base: Sodium hydroxide
○ Component 3. Hydrogen peroxide: Oxidizer supplying oxygen. 2H2O2 → O2 + 2H2O
○ Component 4. Catalyst: Iron ion in hemoglobin, K3[Fe(CN)6], KIO4, etc.
○ Use 1. Detecting bloodstains at crime scenes
○ Use 2. Detecting copper, iron, cyanide in laboratories
⑸ Synthesis Methods
① From carboxylic acids: Carried out under conditions with EDC / NHS, DCC, or DIC catalysts
Figure 46. EDC/NHS coupling
② From acyl chlorides: Requires 2 equivalents of amine ( ∵ amine reacts with leaving group)
④ Ritter reaction: Conversion of nitrile to amide
7. Nitriles
⑴ Nomenclature
① When nitrile has the highest priority, carbon of -CN is labeled as carbon 1
② If nitrile is part of a ring, name as cycloalkanecarbonitrile
③ If nitrile is a substituent in chain or ring, use cyano- prefix for naming
④ Comparison of systematic naming (left) and common naming (right)
○ ethanenitrile / acetonitrile, methyl cyanide
○ 5-methylhexanenitrile / δ-methylcapronitrile, isohexyl cyanide
○ propenenitrile / acrylonitrile
⑵ Reaction 1. Nucleophilic addition reaction
① Reaction 1-1. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis: Forms carboxylic acid
Figure 47. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis mechanism
② Reaction 1-2. Base-catalyzed hydrolysis
③ Reaction 1-3. Ritter reaction
○ Conversion of nitrile to amide
○ Ph-C≡N + ROH + H2SO4, H2O → Ph-CO-NH-R
⑶ Reaction 2. Hydrogenation reaction
① Reaction 2-1. Amine formation via LAH (LiAlH4)
Figure 48. Amine formation via LAH (LiAlH4)
② Reaction 2-2. Aldehyde formation via DIBAL-H
Figure 49. Aldehyde formation via DIBAL-H
③ Reaction 2-3. Hydrogenation with Raney nickel catalyst: Raney nickel serves the role of gently moderating reactions to prevent the escape of nitrogen.
Figure 50. Hydrogenation with Raney nickel catalyst
⑷ Reaction 3. Organometallic reagent reactions
① Reaction 3-1. Ketone formation by addition of Grignard reagent
Figure 51. Ketone formation by adding Grignard reagent
② Reaction 3-2. Ketone formation by adding organic lithium reagents
③ Gilman Reagent (R2CuLi) does not react with carbonyl group (C=O) and nitrile
⑸ Reaction 4. Azide-alkyne cycloaddition
① Also known as click chemistry, discussed by K. Barry Sharpless starting in 1998
② Reaction 4-1. 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition
○ Above 100 ℃. Hours-days. Heat-catalyzed conjugetion reaction
○ Rapid reaction when R2, R3 are electron-withdrawing groups
Figure 52. 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition
○ Application 1. azide + cyclooctyne
Figure 53. Cycloaddition with azide and cyclooctyne
○ Application 2. tetrazine + trans-cyclooctene
Figure 54. Cycloaddition with tetrazine and trans-cyclooctene
③ Reaction 4-2. CuAAC (Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition)
Figure 55. CuAAC reaction
④ Reaction 4-3. RuAAC (Ruthenium-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition)
Figure 56. RuAAC reaction
⑤ Reaction 4-4. SPAAC (Copper-free stain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition)
○ A recently introduced technique
○ Addition reaction method applicable to soft molecules like biomolecules
⑹ Synthesis Methods
① Reaction of NaCN with R-X via SN2
② CuCN treatment of Ar-N2 in Sandmeyer reaction
③ Reaction of aldehydes and ketones with NaCN reaction: CN- attacks carbonyl carbon
④ Dehydration reaction of amides: Conversion to nitrile using dehydration reagents like P4O10, (CH3CO)2O, SOCl2, POCl3
Input: 2019.02.28 23:13
Modified: 2022.02.02 19:28