Which specific class of carboxylic acids uniquely undergoes spontaneous decarboxylation upon simple — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
Which specific class of carboxylic acids uniquely undergoes spontaneous decarboxylation upon simple mild heating, without requiring harsh soda-lime conditions?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
$\beta$ -keto acids decarboxylate readily upon mild heating because the $\beta$ -carbonyl oxygen can participate in a highly stable, concerted 6-membered cyclic transition state, releasing $CO_2$.
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