Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives 1 Question 4

5. The compound that undergoes decarboxylation most readily under mild condition is

(2012) (a)

(c)

(b)

(d)

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Answer:

Correct Answer: 5. (d)

Solution:

  1. It is a $\beta$-keto acid which undergo decarboxylation in very mild condtion, i.e. on simple heating. This occur through a six member cyclic transition state as

NOTE

  • Ordinary carboxylic acid require soda-lime catalyst for decarboxylation.
  • Final step of decarboxylation in the above shown mechanism involve tautomerism, therefore, for decarboxylation of $\beta$-keto acid by above mechanism, the acid must contain an $\alpha-\mathrm{H}]$.