Stability and Ring-Shift Tautomerization of Cyclic Anhydrides of Benzenehexasulfonic Acid

Upon heating in a dry atmosphere, benzenehexasulfonic acid forms three cyclic anhydrides. Mono- and dianhydride do not hydrolyze readily due their flatter structures compared to the hydrolysis products. The trianhydride appears more to be reactive toward hydrolysis. In solutions, the mono- and dianhydride undergo ring-shift tautomerization, which is in the latter case shifted toward the para isomer.