[Eclipsonix]

For the reaction of H2O2 + any-Carboxylic acid to create any-peroxycarboxylic acid


What type of reaction is this? Sn1? Sn2? E1? E2? Acid/Base? What is the mechanism?
 

I know the balanced equation. I know that water is a byproduct of this reaction. But what really happens in terms of proton/electron transfer

[phth]

None of the above.  It is it's own class.  I recommend picking up a copy of Clayden's book.  It's the best out there, and my opinion is in agreement with others. Read the reviews http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Jonathan-Clayden/dp/0199270295  You should practice the mechanisms.  They'll get easy enough to where you can do them; you just gotta put in the time to practice.  Here's some information abou the mechanism..  My question to you is what factors will stabilize the acetal formation?