Acetic anhydride

(CH3CO)2O[1]

Acetic anhydride is the condensate of two acetic acids. It is mostly used for esterification. The most common use is the production of aspirine.

Reactions

The reaction of acetic anhydride with ethanol

H₃C-CO-O-CO-CH₃ + HO-CH₂-CH₃ ----> H₃C-COO-CH₂-CH₃ + H₃C-COOH

Synthesis

The synthesis of acetic anhydride is the following very hazardous reaction:

It is the reaction of ethanoyl chloride with sodium acetate

H₃C-COCl + H₃C-COO^- Na⁺ ------> Na⁺Cl^- + H₃C-CO-O-CO-CH₃

Hence you obtain also sodium chloride, you can immagine the possible hazard of this reaction. It is a reaction of the Hermann Staudinger-type.

External Links

• scifun.chem.wisc.edu
• OSHA.gov