NMR study of the synthesis of 17O‐enriched acetic acid by hydrolysis of acetic anhydride with 17O‐enriched water

Abstract 17 O‐enriched acetic acid (2.5% in 17 O) was synthesized by hydrolysis of acetic anhydride with 17 O‐enriched water. The reaction was monitored by 17 O and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Acetic anhydride, 17 O‐enriched in both the ether and the carbonyl oxygens, was observed as an intermediate. This can be ascribed to competition between acetic acid and water for nucleophilic attack on acetic anhydride. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.