Q23-2 P
Question
Using curved arrows to indicate the electron flow in each step, show how the base-catalyzed retro-aldol reaction of 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone takes place to yield 2 equivalents of acetone.
Step-by-Step Solution
Verified Answer
Retro-aldol reaction: A reaction in which 𝛃-hydroxy carbonyl compound is decomposed to give ketone or aldehyde compounds.
1Step 1: attack of base - OH at the hydrogen of alcoholic group:
2Step 2: elimination of enolate ion and the formation of the first ketone product:
3Step 3: conversion of enolate ion into another ketone compound in the presence of H 2 O:
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