Question

Synthesis of phthalimide from phthalic acid

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Phthalimide can be prepared by heating phthalic anhydride with aqueous ammonia giving 95–97% yield. Alternatively, it may be prepared by treating the anhydride with ammonium carbonate or urea. It can also be produced by ammoxidation of o-xylene.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Using the urea N-atom as a nucleophile, you can attack one of the very electrophilic carbonyl of the anhrdride. After a bunch of arrow-pushing and proton transfers, you get to phthalimide with a -C(O)NH2 attached to the nitrogen.