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Question 46


The correct order of their reactivity towards hydrolysis at room temperature is:

The reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives towards nucleophilic acyl substitution depends on:

1. Electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon

2. Stability of the leaving group

A better leaving group increases reactivity.

Groups showing strong $$\mathrm{-I}$$ effect increase the positive charge on the carbonyl carbon and enhance reactivity.

Groups showing strong $$\mathrm{+M}$$ effect donate electron density and decrease reactivity.

(A) Acid Chloride:

$$\mathrm{R-COCl}$$

Chlorine shows a strong:

$$\mathrm{-I\ effect}$$

making the carbonyl carbon highly electrophilic.

The resonance donation from chlorine is very weak due to poor $$\mathrm{2p-3p}$$ overlap.

Also:

$$\mathrm{Cl^-}$$

is an excellent leaving group.

Therefore, acid chlorides are highly reactive.

(B) Acid Anhydride:

$$\mathrm{R-CO-O-CO-R}$$

The leaving group is:

$$\mathrm{R-COO^-}$$

which is resonance stabilised and a good leaving group.

The central oxygen donates electron density through resonance, but this effect is shared between two carbonyl groups.

Thus, anhydrides are less reactive than acid chlorides.

(C) Ester:

$$\mathrm{R-COOR'}$$

The leaving group is:

$$\mathrm{RO^-}$$

which is a stronger base and poorer leaving group.

The alkoxy oxygen strongly donates electron density through:

$$\mathrm{+M\ effect}$$

thereby reducing electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon.

Hence, esters are less reactive than anhydrides.

(D) Amide:

$$\mathrm{R-CONH_2}$$

The leaving group would be:

$$\mathrm{NH_2^-}$$

which is an extremely poor leaving group.

Nitrogen strongly donates electron density through resonance:

$$\mathrm{+M\ effect}$$

greatly stabilising the carbonyl group and reducing its electrophilicity.

Therefore, amides are the least reactive derivatives.

Hence, the order of reactivity is:

$$\mathrm{Acid\ Chloride > Acid\ Anhydride > Ester > Amide}$$

$$\mathrm{A > B > C > D}$$

Therefore, the correct option is:

$$\boxed{\mathrm{Option\ A}}$$

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