A new synthesis of carboxylic and carbonic acid anhydrides using phase transfer reactions

Abstract Acyl chlorides and alkylchloroformates smoothly reacted with one molar equivalent of sodium hydxoxide, using liquid-liquid phase transfer conditions to afford high yields of the corresponding symmtrical carboxylic and carbonic hemiester anhydrides. Unstable, anhydrides such as 4-nitrobenzoic, 2-furoic and methacrylic anhydrides, which are otherwise difficult to obtain, were easily prepared by this method. The reaction mechanism does not seem to involve intermediate hydrolysis of half the acid chloride into the corresponding sodium carboxylate.