Anhydride
phenyl group
An anhydride is a type of chemical compound that forms when a molecule loses a water molecule (H2O) from itself or when two different molecules combine and lose a water molecule. Anhydrides can be organic or inorganic compounds and have important roles in many chemical reactions.
Organic anhydrides are formed by removing a water molecule from two identical or different carboxylic acids. For example, if two molecules of acetic acid are combined and one molecule of water is removed, acetic anhydride is formed. Common organic anhydrides include acetic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, and succinic anhydride.
Inorganic anhydrides are formed by removing the water molecule from metal oxides or non-metallic oxides. For example, calcium oxide (CaO) is an inorganic anhydride that is formed by removing a water molecule from calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). Other common inorganic anhydrides include sulfur trioxide (SO3), carbon dioxide (CO2), and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5).
Anhydrides have important roles in many chemical reactions. For example, they can be used as acylating agents, which means they can transfer an acyl group (-CO) to another molecule. This is important in the formation of esters, which are used in many industrial and chemical processes. Anhydrides can also be used as catalysts or reactants in organic synthesis reactions.
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