Question

Give a balanced chemical equation to show the reaction between ferrocene and acetic anhydride in the presence of phosphoric acid. (Use structural formula for starting materials and products)

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of ferrocene with acetic anhydride, catalyzed by phosphoric acid, leads to the formation of acetylferrocene and acetic acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction between ferrocene (Fe(C5H5)2) and acetic anhydride ((CH3CO)2O) in the presence of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) can be represented by a balanced chemical equation. In this Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction, the ferrocene reacts with acetic anhydride to form acetylferrocene and acetic acid (CH3COOH) as a byproduct. The balanced chemical equation, using structural formulas for the starting materials and products, is as follows:

Fe(C5H5)2 + (CH3CO)2O → Fe(C5H5)(C5H4COCH3) + CH3COOH

Here, phosphoric acid serves as a catalyst to facilitate the acylation of ferrocene.