Describe the differences between the ester and acid in the Malonic ester synthesis.

The ester and acid in the Malonic ester synthesis differ in their reactivity and functional groups.

The ester used in the Malonic ester synthesis is diethyl malonate, which contains two ester functional groups (-COO-) and an ethyl group (-C2H5) attached to the central carbon atom. The ester group is less reactive than the carboxylic acid group because it has a resonance-stabilized structure that makes it less prone to nucleophilic attack. This makes it a good starting material for the synthesis of carboxylic acids.

On the other hand, the acid used in the Malonic ester synthesis is usually a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. These acids are used to convert the ester into its corresponding carboxylic acid by hydrolysis. The carboxylic acid group (-COOH) is more reactive than the ester group because it lacks the resonance stabilization of the ester group. This makes it more prone to nucleophilic attack and allows it to undergo further reactions.

In summary, the ester and acid in the Malonic ester synthesis differ in their reactivity and functional groups. The ester is less reactive due to its resonance-stabilized structure, while the acid is more reactive due to its lack of resonance stabilization. The acid is used to convert the ester into its corresponding carboxylic acid, which can then undergo further reactions.