Write equation to show how acetic anhydride may be used to prepare tert-butyl acetate.

Answer 1

Acetic anhydride can react with tert-butanol to form tert-butyl acetate in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. The reaction is as follows:

CH3CO)2O + (CH3)3COH → (CH3)3COOCCH3 + CH3COOH

where:
CH3CO)2O = acetic anhydride
(CH3)3COH = tert-butanol
(CH3)3COOCCH3 = tert-butyl acetate
CH3COOH = acetic acid

The mechanism of the reaction involves the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol on the acetic anhydride, leading to the formation of the ester and acetic acid as a byproduct.