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Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry
Chapter 24, Problem 49c

Draw the condensed structure of the compounds formed by condensation reactions between
c. acetic acid and phenol.
Name the compound in each case.

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1
Identify the functional groups involved in the condensation reaction: acetic acid contains a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and phenol contains a hydroxyl group (-OH).
Understand that a condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol (or phenol) typically forms an ester and water.
Write the general reaction for esterification: R-COOH + R'-OH \rightarrow R-COOR' + H_2O.
Apply the specific reactants: acetic acid (CH_3COOH) and phenol (C_6H_5OH) to form the ester, which is phenyl acetate (CH_3COOC_6H_5).
Draw the condensed structural formula of phenyl acetate: CH_3COOC_6H_5, where the acetic acid part is CH_3COO- and the phenol part is -C_6H_5.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Condensation Reactions

Condensation reactions are chemical processes where two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, releasing a small molecule, often water. In organic chemistry, these reactions frequently involve functional groups such as alcohols and carboxylic acids, leading to the formation of esters or amides. Understanding this concept is crucial for predicting the products formed when acetic acid and phenol react.
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Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the case of acetic acid, the carboxylic acid group (-COOH) is key, while phenol contains a hydroxyl group (-OH). Recognizing these functional groups helps in understanding how they interact during condensation reactions to form new compounds.
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Condensed Structural Formulas

Condensed structural formulas provide a simplified representation of a molecule, showing the arrangement of atoms and the connectivity between them without depicting all the bonds explicitly. This notation is particularly useful for illustrating the products of condensation reactions, as it allows for a clear and concise depiction of the resulting compounds formed from acetic acid and phenol.
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