Cou - 28-3-2015 at 17:53
http://www.chemicalize.org/structure/#!mol=2-%28acetyloxy%29...
O-acetylcitric acid
[Edited on 29-3-2015 by Cou]
Darkstar - 28-3-2015 at 23:26
In theory it would work, but your yield is probably going to be extremely low at best. Since the hydroxyl group in citric acid is tertiary, the
competing elimination reaction is going to be the more favorable of the two. I would imagine the desired acetylation could be achieved in good yields
using acetyl chloride in Et3N, pyridine or some other similar base, preferably under anhydrous conditions. Knowing you, though, I'm pretty
sure you're not going to want to work with an acyl chloride.
Not that I blame you.
Chemosynthesis - 29-3-2015 at 13:26
Agreed. I did the acetyl chloride esterification listed for an industrial production method of other esters of citric acid. I forget where.