Nomenclature of Anhydrides

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The acid anhydride functional group results when two carboxylic acids combine and lose water (anhydride = without water). Symmetrical acid anhydrides are named like carboxylic acids except the ending -acid is replaced with -anhydride. This is true for both the IUPAC and Common nomenclature.

Symmetrical anhydrides

Unsymmetrical acid anhydrides

Unsymmetrical acid anhydrides are named by first naming each component carboxylic acid alphabetically arranged (without the word acid) followed by spaces and then the word anhydride.