Halogenation of Carboxylic Acids
This section specifically addresses the halogenation of carboxylic acids, which undergo substitution reactions involving their a-hydrogens. When carboxylic acids that contain an a-hydrogen are treated with chlorine or bromine in the presence of a small amount of red phosphorus, a-haolocarboxylic acids are formed. This reaction is known as the Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction.
Significance
The Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction is important for introducing halogen substituents on organic compounds, which can then be subjected to further reactions, affecting the physical and chemical properties of the resultant compounds. This process not only demonstrates the reactivity of carboxylic acids but also highlights the functionality of the a-hydrogens present in these molecules.