Heating ethanoic acid with phosphorus(V) oxide, a strong dehydrating agent, gives ____.
Correct answer C. Ethanoic anhydride
Explanation
P₂O₅ removes one water molecule from two molecules of ethanoic acid: 2CH₃COOH → (CH₃CO)₂O + H₂O. The product is ethanoic anhydride, an acid derivative used for ethanoylation.
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