Q21E

Question


The final step in the hydration of an alkyne under acidic conditions is the tautomerization of an enol intermediate to give the corresponding ketone. The mechanism involves a protonation followed by a deprotonation.

Show the mechanism for each of the following tautomerizations.



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Answer




The mechanism involving the keto-enol tautomerism of the following reactions are given below.

a). 



b).



c).



1Definition of tautomerization

Tautomers are structural isomers that can readily convert to each other. The process of interconversion of isomers during the reaction is referred to as tautomerization. In keto-enol tautomerism transfer of a proton takes place from the oxygen atom to the carbon atom.

2Tautomerization of the given reactant


The oxygen atom donates its lone pair of electrons to carbon atom resulting in a partial positive charge on the oxygen atom. The   bond attains a double bond character while the pi electrons from the C-C double bond concentrate on the adjacent carbon atom. Subsequently the adjacent carbon atom accepts the proton and the charge on the oxygen atom is neutralized to give the respective ketone.


3Tautomerization of the given reactant


The oxygen atom donates its lone pair of electrons to carbon atom resulting in a partial positive charge on the oxygen atom. The C-O bond attains a double bond character while the pi electrons from the C-C double bond concentrate on the adjacent carbon atom. Subsequently the adjacent carbon atom accepts the proton and the charge on the oxygen atom is neutralized to give the respective ketone.



4Tautomerization of the given reactant


The oxygen atom donates its lone pair of electrons to carbon atom resulting in a partial positive charge on the oxygen atom. The C-O bond attains a double bond character while the pi electrons from the C-C double bond concentrate on the adjacent carbon atom. Subsequently the adjacent carbon atom accepts the proton and the charge on the oxygen atom is neutralized to give the respective ketone.