Question

Identify $X$ in the following reaction.

$C{H}_{3}COOH\underset{\Delta }{\overset{P_4{O}_{10}}{\to }}X$

• A. $C{H}_{3}COCl$
• B. $C{H}_{3}CON{H}_2$
• C. $(C{H}_{3}CO{)}_{2}O$
• D. $C{H}_{3}COO{C}_2{H}_5$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$(C{H}_{3}CO{)}_{2}O$

In the reaction $C{H}_{3}COOH\underset{\Delta }{\overset{P_4{O}_{10}}{\to }}X$, $X$ is acetic anhydride.

The complete reaction is as follows:
$C{H}_{3}COOH\underset{\Delta }{\overset{P_4{O}_{10}}{\to }}\underset{X}{(C{H}_{3}CO{)}_{2}O}+H_{2}O$
Phosphorous pentaoxide is a dehydrating agent and hence, removes a water molecule from $2$ molecules of acetic acid.