Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026
Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Metabolite Production
Published on: June 2, 2023
Kinetic study of the hydrolysis of phthalic anhydride and aryl hydrogen phthalates
G O Andrés1, A M Granados, R H de Rossi
1Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico Química de Córdoba (INFIQC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.
Abstract:
The kinetics of the hydrolysis of phthalic anhydride and X-phenyl hydrogen phthalate (X = H, p-Me, m-Cl, and p-Cl) were studied. Several bases accelerate the reaction of phthalic anhydride: acetate, phosphate, N-methyl imidazole, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO), and carbonate. Phosphate, DABCO, and N-methyl imidazole react as nucleophiles, whereas the data do not allow the determination of whether the other bases react in the same way or as general bases catalyzing the water reaction. The rate constants for all of them including water and HO- define a Brönsted plot with beta = 0.46. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of the esters were studied below pH 6.20, and the mechanism involves the formation of phthalic anhydride, which then is hydrolyzed to the phthalic acid. Phenoxide ion has a very high rate constant for the reaction with phthalic anhydride, so above pH 6.20 it competes significantly with the hydrolysis of the anhydride. The reactions of the esters as a function of pH allow the determination of the kinetic pK(a) which are 3.06, 3.02, 2.95, and 2.93 for X = H, p-Me, m-Cl, and p-Cl, respectively. The data also show that the catalysis by the neighboring carboxy group takes place only when it is ionized (i.e., as carboxylate).
More Related Videos
10:42Preparation of N-(2-alkoxyvinyl)sulfonamides from N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles and Subsequent Conversion to Substituted Phthalans and Phenethylamines
Published on: January 3, 2018
11:17Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
Published on: January 19, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:01Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic acid...
01:13Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
02:40Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Analogous to alkenes, alkynes also undergo acid-catalyzed hydration. While the addition of water to an alkene gives an alcohol, hydration of alkynes produces different products such as aldehydes and ketones.
01:15Phase I Reactions: Hydrolytic Reactions
An important hydrolytic reaction is ester hydrolysis. Ester bonds, often found in prodrugs, are broken down, increasing the solubility of drugs like aspirin and lidocaine for more straightforward elimination. Amide hydrolysis is another critical reaction, targeting amide bonds prevalent...
01:19Reactions of Acid Anhydrides
01:23Electrophilic Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene: Thermodynamic vs Kinetic Control