Kaplan Ch. 4 says carboxylic acids follow a hierarchy for reactivity toward nucleophilic attack: anhydride > carboxylic acid and ester > amide. Higher reactivity derivatives can form lower reactivity derivatives, but not vice versa.
However, I thought anhydrides are formed via carboxylic acid condensation, which involves nucleophilic attack? Would anyone be able to clarify please? Thank you!
However, I thought anhydrides are formed via carboxylic acid condensation, which involves nucleophilic attack? Would anyone be able to clarify please? Thank you!