Explain the action of `PCl_(5)` on acetic acid.

Explanation

To explain the action of phosphorus pentachloride (PCl₅) on acetic acid (CH₃COOH), we can break down the reaction step by step:

### Step 1: Understanding the Reactants
Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is a carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a carbonyl group (C=O). Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl₅) is a chlorinating agent that can replace hydroxyl groups in alcohols and acids with chlorine atoms.

### Step 2: Reaction Mechanism
When acetic acid reacts with PCl₅, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of acetic acid is replaced by a chlorine atom. The reaction can be represented as follows:

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