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How does hydrolysis of an acyl chloride produce a carboxylic acid?
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carboxylic acid
Alcohols may be oxidized to give aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. The oxidation of organic compounds generally increases the number of bonds from carbon to oxygen, and it may decrease the number of bonds to hydrogen.
Acyl chlorides are highly reactive acid derivatives that undergo hydrolysis upon simple exposure to water to produce a carboxylic acid and hydrochloric acid.12
Because they are the most reactive of the acid derivatives, this reaction occurs readily at room temperature without the need for heating or additional catalysts. In fact, low-molecular-weight acyl chlorides are so sensitive to moisture that they react with water vapor in the air; consequently, they must be stored in airtight containers to prevent spontaneous conversion into carboxylic acid. When these compounds come into contact with moisture in the eyes, nose, or mouth, they release hydrochloric acid, which can cause significant irritation and tissue damage.12