Question

The order of reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives is:

• A. Acid Chloride $>$ Ester $>$ Amide $>$ Acid Anhydride
• B. Acid Chloride $>$ Acid Anhydride $>$ Ester $>$ Amide
• C. Acid Chloride $>$ Amide $>$ Acid Anhydride $>$ Ester
• D. Acid Anhydride $>$ Ester $>$ Amide $>$ Acid Chloride

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Acid Chloride $>$ Acid Anhydride $>$ Ester $>$ Amide

The order of reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives is Acid Chloride > Acid Anhydride > Ester > Amide. Acid chlorides are most reactive and acid amides are least reactive.
This is due to the following basicity order of the leaving group.
$C{l}^{-}<R-CO{O}^{-}<R-O^{-}<N{H}_2^{-}$