[migueldario]

hi.. i need to know what the reaction mechanism for the formation of lactams from amino acids, lactones from hydroxyacids,  and cyclic anhydrides from diacids

i hope someone can help me

sorry for my english... i am from venezuela..

[lancenti]

All of these mechanisms are actually the same as having two separate molecules. So the mechanism of lactam formation is the same as the formation of an amide, lactone formation is the same as the formation of an ester.

It might help if you did these reactions in acidic conditions so that you can make the C=O more electrophilic.