Q32 E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Which of the following compounds have the same oxidation level, and which have different levels?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Same oxidation level

Different oxidation level

Step 1: Oxidation level (OL)

For organic compounds, the oxidation level of the carbon is calculated by counting the number of bonds bonded to more electronegative atoms other than carbon.

Step 2: Compound with the same oxidation level

Epoxides have single oxygen so their OL is 1, for alcohol as there is one OH group the OL is 1 whereas in the case of ketone there is a double bond between carbon and oxygen. So, its OL is 2 and for alkene, there is a double bond its OL is -2

Thus, compounds 1,2, and 4 have the same OL and 3 and 5 have different oxidation levels.

Thus, the compounds with the some OL are:

Same oxidation level

Compounds with different oxidation level:

Different oxidation level