Hello,
Consider 2 Molecules Citric Acid. Citric acid molecules carry -COOH and -OH Groups. Does the OH of Molecule 1 react with COOH of Molecule 2? Is there a self-esterification between these groups in citric acid when it gets solved in water?
Best Regards
Lothar
Hi Lothar,
Carboxylic acids themselves are not very reactive. Thats why COOH groups are normally activated via coupling agents (HBTU, HATU, PyBOP or thionylchloride) before they react with alcohols. You are right, COOH groups can also react with OH groups without preactivation (condensation reaction). But this will just work if you remove the kondensated water out of the equilibrium (dean stark apparatus). If you add water to citric acid you also shift the equilibrium, but to the other side (no reaction at all)
There is no. self-esterification between these groups in citric acid as three membered lactone (Cyclic ester)is highly strained molecule. The formation oh it is difficult.
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