Reactions with Carboxylic Acids
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MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems › Reactions with Carboxylic Acids
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Compound B is dissolved in methylene chloride, and then treated with trifluoroacetic acid. Over the next thirty minutes, gas evolution was observed from the reaction mixture. What gas was being given off?

CORRECT
Explanation
Treatment of a carboxylic acid with acid results in decarboxylation, and the evolution of , especially if the resulting compound contains a benzylic or allylic carbon, as is the case here.