The reaction between ethanedioyl (oxalyl) dihalides and Ag₂C₂O₄: a route to Staudinger’s elusive ethanedioic (oxalic) acid anhydride

Abstract

Ethanedioic (oxalic) acid anhydride 1 was prepared for the first time and its dimeric cyclic nature established by spectroscopic and chemical evidence. The strong instability of 2-chloro-2-oxoethanoic acid 3 was incidentally observed. The chemical behaviour of 1 with MeOH and CH₂N₂ was investigated.

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