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An anhydride is a

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Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Short answer: an anhydride is a compound formed by removal of water from two acid groups; it yields the parent acid(s) on reaction with water.

Details:
- Organic (carboxylic) acid anhydride: two carboxylic acids condense with loss of H2O to give RCO–O–COR' (general formula (RCO)2O). Example: acetic anhydride, (CH3CO)2O.
- Inorganic (acid or basic) usage: a “acid anhydride” is an oxide that forms an acid on hydrolysis (e.g., SO3 → H2SO4), while a “basic anhydride” is a metal oxide that forms a base on hydrolysis (e.g., CaO → Ca(OH)2).