CHAPTER 17
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC
ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
SOLUTIONS TO TEXT PROBLEMS
17.1 (b) The longest continuous chain in glutaraldehyde has five carbons and terminates in aldehyde
functions at both ends. Pentanedial is an acceptable IUPAC name for this compound.
(c) The three-carbon parent chain has a double bond between C-2 and C-3 and a phenyl sub-
stituent at C-3.
(d) Vanillin can be named as a derivative of benzaldehyde. Remember to cite the remaining sub-
stituents in alphabetical order.
HO CH
O
CH
3
O
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde
(vanillin)
3-Phenyl-2-propenal
(cinnamaldehyde)
C
6
H
5
CH CHCH
O
2
1
3
Pentanedial (glutaraldehyde)
HCCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
O O
1
23 4
5
426
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ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 427
17.2 (b) First write the structure from the name given. Ethyl isopropyl ketone has an ethyl group and
an isopropyl group bonded to a carbonyl group.
Ethyl isopropyl ketone may be alternatively named 2-methyl-3-pentanone. Its longest contin-
uous chain has five carbons. The carbonyl carbon is C-3 irrespective of the direction in which
the chain is numbered, and so we choose the direction that gives the lower number to the po-
sition that bears the methyl group.
(c) Methyl 2,2-dimethylpropyl ketone has a methyl group and a 2,2-dimethylpropyl group
bonded to a carbonyl group.
The longest continuous chain has five carbons, and the carbonyl carbon is C-2. Thus, methyl
2,2-dimethylpropyl ketone may also be named 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanone.
(d) The structure corresponding to allyl methyl ketone is
Because the carbonyl group is given the lowest possible number in the chain, the substitutive
name is 4-penten-2-one not 1-penten-4-one.
17.3 No. Lithium aluminum hydride is the only reagent we have discussed that is capable of reducing
carboxylic acids (Section 15.3).
17.4 The target molecule, 2-butanone, contains four carbon atoms. The problem states that all of the car-
bons originate in acetic acid, which has two carbon atoms. This suggests the following
disconnections:
The necessary aldehyde (acetaldehyde) is prepared from acetic acid by reduction followed by
oxidation in an anhydrous medium.
Ethylmagnesium bromide may be obtained from acetic acid by the following sequence:
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
(Prepared as
previously)
CH
3
CH
2
Br
Ethyl bromide
CH
3
CH
2
MgBr
Ethylmagnesium
bromide
HBr or
PBr
3
Mg
diethyl ether
CH
3
CO
2
H
Acetic acid
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
CH
3
CH
O
Acetaldehyde
1. LiAlH
4
2. H
2
O
PDC
CH
2
Cl
2
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
3
OH
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
3
O O
CH
3
CH H11001 CH
2
CH
3
H11002
2-Butanone
CH
3
CCH
2
CH CH
2
O
CH
3
CCH
2
CCH
3
CH
3
OCH
3
CH
3
CH
2
CCHCH
3
O
CH
3
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428 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
The preparation of 2-butanone is completed as follows:
17.5 Chloral is trichloroethanal, . Chloral hydrate is the addition product of chloral and water.
17.6 Methacrylonitrile is formed by the dehydration of acetone cyanohydrin, and thus has the structure
shown.
17.7 The overall reaction is
HCl is a strong acid and, when dissolved in ethanol, transfers a proton to ethanol to give ethylox-
onium ion. Thus, we can represent the acid catalyst as the conjugate acid of ethanol.
The first three steps correspond to acid-catalyzed addition of ethanol to the carbonyl group to
yield a hemiacetal.
Step 1:
Step 2:
C
6
H
5
CH H11001
O
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH
OH
CH
2
CH
3
H
O
H11001
H
CH
2
CH
3
H
O
H11001
CH
2
CH
3
H
OC
6
H
5
CH
OH
H11001
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH
CH
2
CH
3
H
HH11001
O
O
Ethanol
2CH
3
CH
2
OHH11001
Benzaldehyde
diethyl acetal
C
6
H
5
(OCH
2
CH
3
)
2
Water
H
2
OH11001
Benzaldehyde
C
6
H
5
CH
O
HCl
MethacrylonitrileAcetone
cyanohydrin
CH
3
CCH
3
OH
CN
H
H11001
, heat
(H11002H
2
O)
CH
3
CCH
2
CN
Chloral hydrate
Cl
3
CCH
OH
OH
CCl
3
CH
O
H11001 CH
3
CH
2
MgBr
Ethylmagnesium
bromide
Acetaldehyde
CH
3
CH
O
2-Butanone
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
3
O
2-Butanol
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
3
OH
1. diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
K
2
Cr
2
O
7
H
2
SO
4
, H
2
O
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Step 3:
Formation of the hemiacetal is followed by loss of water to give a carbocation.
Step 4:
Step 5:
The next two steps describe the capture of the carbocation by ethanol to give the acetal:
Step 6:
Step 7:
17.8 (b) 1,3-Propanediol forms acetals that contain a six-membered 1,3-dioxane ring.
H
H11001
H11001
C
6
H
5
H
2-Phenyl-1,3-dioxane
HOCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1,3-Propanediol
C
6
H
5
CH
O
Benzaldehyde
O O
H11001 OH
CH
2
CH
3
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
OCH
2
CH
3
Acetal
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
O
CH
3
CH
2
H
H11001
H11001 O
CH
2
CH
3
H H
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
O
CH
3
CH
2
H
H11001
H11001C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
O
CH
2
CH
3
H
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH H11001 OHHOCH
2
CH
3
H11001
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH
HH
O
OCH
2
CH
3
H11001C
6
H
5
C
HOH
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
OCH
2
CH
3
H11001
H
O
H11001
H
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001C
6
H
5
C
HO
H
OCH
2
CH
3
H11001C
6
H
5
CH
OH
O
CH
2
CH
3
O
H11001
H
CH
2
CH
3
H
H11001
H11001
Hemiacetal
C
6
H
5
CH
OH
H O
H
CH
2
CH
3
OCH
2
CH
3
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 429
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(c) The cyclic acetal derived from isobutyl methyl ketone and ethylene glycol bears an isobutyl
group and a methyl group at C-2 of a 1,3-dioxolane ring.
(d) Because the starting diol is 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, the cyclic acetal is six-membered
and bears two methyl substituents at C-5 in addition to isobutyl and methyl groups at C-2.
17.9 The overall reaction is
The mechanism of acetal hydrolysis is the reverse of acetal formation. The first four steps convert
the acetal to the hemiacetal.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
H11001C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
H11001
H
H
O C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
O
HH
H11001
H11001 O
H
CH
2
CH
3
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
O
H11001
HCH
3
CH
2
H11001H11001C
6
H
5
CH O
H
CH
2
CH
3
OCH
2
CH
3
OCH
2
CH
3
H
H11001
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
2
CH
3
O
H11001
HCH
3
CH
2
H11001H11001C
6
H
5
CH(OCH
2
CH
3
)
2
Benzaldehyde diethyl acetal
H
2
O
Water
C
6
H
5
CH
O
Benzaldehyde
2CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
HCl
H11001
H
H11001
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CCH
3
O
Isobutyl methyl ketone
HOCH
2
CCH
2
OH
CH
3
CH
3
2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-
propanediol
2-Isobutyl-2,5,5-trimethyl-
1,3-dioxane
CH
3
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CH
3
H
3
C
OO
Ethylene glycol
HOCH
2
CH
2
OHH11001
H
H11001
Isobutyl methyl ketone
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CCH
3
O
2-Isobutyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
O O
CH
3
430 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
17.10 The conversion requires reduction; however, the conditions necessary (LiAlH
4
) would also reduce
the ketone carbonyl. The ketone functionality is therefore protected as the cyclic acetal.
Reduction of the carboxylic acid may now be carried out.
Hydrolysis to remove the protecting group completes the synthesis.
CH
2
OH CH
2
OHCH
3
C
O
H
2
O, HCl
4-Acetylbenzyl alcohol
O
O C
H
3
C
COH
O
CH
2
OH
1. LiAlH
4
2. H
2
O
O
O C
H
3
C
O
O C
H
3
C
4-Acetylbenzoic acid
COH
O
CH
3
C
O
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
p-toluenesulfonic acid,
benzene
COH
O
O
O C
H
3
C
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001 O
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001C
6
H
5
CH
O
H11001
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH
O H
H
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001
H11001
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001C
6
H
5
CH
O
C
6
H
5
CH
OH H
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
OH
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001
H11001
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001OCH
2
CH
3
H11001C
6
H
5
CH
HO
C
6
H
5
CH
OH
O
H
CH
2
CH
3
OH
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001
H11001OCH
2
CH
3
C
6
H
5
C
O
H11001
H
HH
H11001C
6
H
5
C OCH
2
CH
3
H
HO
Hemiacetal
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 431
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17.11 (b) Nucleophilic addition of butylamine to benzaldehyde gives the carbinolamine.
Dehydration of the carbinolamine produces the imine.
(c) Cyclohexanone and tert-butylamine react according to the equation
(d)
17.12 (b) Pyrrolidine, a secondary amine, adds to 3-pentanone to give a carbinolamine.
Dehydration produces the enamine.
3-Pyrrolidino-2-penteneCarbinolamine
intermediate
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
2
CH
3
OH
H11001 H
2
O
N
CH
3
CH CCH
2
CH
3
N
H11001
3-Pentanone
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
2
CH
3
O
Carbinolamine
intermediate
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
2
CH
3
OH
Pyrrolidine
H
N
N
H11001
CyclohexylamineAcetophenone Carbinolamine
intermediate
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
OH
NH
NH
2
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
O
N-(1-Phenylethylidene)-
cyclohexylamine
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
N
H11002H
2
O
H11002H
2
O
H11001
O
Cyclohexanone
HO NC(CH
3
)
3
H
Carbinolamine
intermediate
(CH
3
)
3
CNH
2
tert-Butylamine
NC(CH
3
)
3
N-Cyclohexylidene-
tert-butylamine
N-Benzylidenebutylamine
NCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
CH
OH
H
H11002H
2
O
CH NCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Carbinolamine intermediate
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
NH
2
CH
O
Benzaldehyde Butylamine
H11001 CH NCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
OH
H
432 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(c)
17.13 (b) Here we see an example of the Wittig reaction applied to diene synthesis by use of an ylide
containing a carbon–carbon double bond.
(c) Methylene transfer from methylenetriphenylphosphorane is one of the most commonly used
Wittig reactions.
17.14 A second resonance structure can be written for a phosphorus ylide with a double bond between
phosphorus and carbon. As a third-row element, phosphorus can have more than 8 electrons in its
valence shell.
17.15 (b) Two Wittig reaction routes lead to 1-pentene. One is represented retrosynthetically by the
disconnection
The other route is
1-Pentene
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH CH
2
H11001
Formaldehyde
O
HCH
Butylidenetriphenylphosphorane
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
H11001
H11002
P(C
6
H
5
)
3
H11001
1-Pentene
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH CH
2
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
O
Butanal Methylenetriphenyl-
phosphorane
H11001
H11002
CH
2
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
Methylenetriphenylphosphorane
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PCH
2
CH
2
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001
H11002
CCH
3
O
Cyclohexyl methyl
ketone
CCH
3
CH
2
2-Cyclohexylpropene
(66%)
H11001 H11001
Triphenylphosphine
oxide
O
H11002
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001
Methylenetriphenyl-
phosphorane
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001
CH
2
H11002
H11001
Allylidenetriphenylphosphorane 1,3-Heptadiene (52%) Triphenylphosphine
oxide
Butanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
O
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PCH
2
CH
2
CHCHCHCH H11001 (C
6
H
5
)
3
P O
H11002
H11001H11001
H11001
Carbinolamine
intermediate
1-Piperidino-1-
phenylethene
PiperidineAcetophenone
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
O
H
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
OH
H11002H
2
O
C
6
H
5
C CH
2
N
NN
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 433
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17.16 Ylides are prepared by the reaction of an alkyl halide with triphenylphosphine, followed by treat-
ment with strong base. 2-Bromobutane is the alkyl halide needed in this case.
17.17 The overall reaction is
In the first step, the peroxy acid adds to the carbonyl group of the ketone to form a peroxy monoester
of a gem-diol.
The intermediate then undergoes rearrangement. Alkyl group migration occurs at the same time as
cleavage of the O@O bond of the peroxy ester. In general, the more substituted group migrates.
17.18 The formation of a carboxylic acid from Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of an aldehyde requires
hydrogen migration.
C
6
H
5
COOH
O
O
CH
O
2
N
m-Nitrobenzaldehyde
O
COH
O
2
N
m-Nitrobenzoic
acid
OH
CH
O
OCC
6
H
5
O
O
2
N
H
3
C O
C
O
O
HOCC
6
H
5
H11001
C
OCC
6
H
5
O
OH
O
H
3
C
O
C
6
H
5
COOHH11001
O
CCH
3
Peroxy monoester
OH
OOCC
6
H
5
O
CCH
3
Peroxybenzoic
acid
O
C
6
H
5
COOHH11001
Cyclohexyl methyl
ketone
O
CCH
3
Benzoic
acid
O
C
6
H
5
COHH11001
Cyclohexyl
acetate
O
OCCH
3
H11001Br
H11002
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
3
H11001
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
(1-Methylpropyl)triphenyl-
phosphonium bromide
Sodiomethyl
methyl sulfoxide
O
NaCH
2
SCH
3
Ylide
CH
3
H11001
H11002
CCH
2
CH
3
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001 Br
H11002
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
3
H11001
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
(1-Methylpropyl)triphenyl-
phosphonium bromide
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
3
Br
2-Bromobutane
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
Triphenyl-
phosphine
434 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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17.19 (a) First consider all the isomeric aldehydes of molecular formula C
5
H
10
O.
There are three isomeric ketones:
(b) Reduction of an aldehyde to a primary alcohol does not introduce a stereogenic center into the
molecule. The only aldehydes that yield chiral alcohols on reduction are therefore those that
already contain a stereogenic center.
Among the ketones, 2-pentanone and 3-methyl-butanone are reduced to chiral alcohols.
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
O
3-Methyl-2-butanone
OH
3-Methyl-2-butanol
(chiral but racemic)
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
O
3-Pentanone
OH
3-Pentanol
(achiral)
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
O
2-Pentanone
OH
2-Pentanol
(chiral but racemic)
(R)-2-Methylbutanal (R)-2-Methyl-1-butanol
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
H
O
H
OH
H
H
(S)-2-Methylbutanal (S)-2-Methyl-1-butanol
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
O
OH
H H
3-Pentanone2-Pentanone 3-Methyl-2-butanone
O
O
O
H H
(S)-2-Methylbutanal
O
(R)-2-Methylbutanal
O
2,2-Dimethylpropanal
H
O
H H
O
H
Pentanal
O
H
3-Methylbutanal
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 435
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(c) All the aldehydes yield chiral alcohols on reaction with methylmagnesium iodide. Thus,
A stereogenic center is introduced in each case. None of the ketones yield chiral alcohols.
17.20 (a) Chloral is the trichloro derivative of ethanal (acetaldehyde).
(b) Pivaldehyde has two methyl groups attached to C-2 of propanal.
(c) Acrolein has a double bond between C-2 and C-3 of a three-carbon aldehyde.
O
H
2
C CHCH
2-Propenal (acrolein)
OCH
3
CH
3
C
CH
3
CH
2,2-Dimethylpropanal
(pivaldehyde)
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
O
CH
3
CH
OCl
Cl C
Cl
CH
Trichloroethanal
(chloral)
Ethanal
O
3-Methyl-2-butanone
1. CH
3
MgI
2. H
3
O
H11001
2,3-Dimethyl-2-butanol
(achiral)
OH
O
3-Pentanone
1. CH
3
MgI
2. H
3
O
H11001
3-Methyl-3-pentanol
(achiral)
OH
O
2-Pentanone 2-Methyl-2-pentanol
(achiral)
1. CH
3
MgI
2. H
3
O
H11001
OH
H
OH
C
4
H
9
CCH
3
O
C
4
H
9
CH
1. CH
3
MgI
2. H
3
O
H11001
436 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(d) Crotonaldehyde has a trans double bond between C-2 and C-3 of a four-carbon aldehyde.
(e) Citral has two double bonds: one between C-2 and C-3 and the other between C-6 and C-7.
The one at C-2 has the E configuration. There are methyl substituents at C-3 and C-7.
( f ) Diacetone alcohol is
(g) The parent ketone is 2-cyclohexenone.
Carvone has an isopropenyl group at C-5 and a methyl group at C-2.
(h) Biacetyl is 2,3-butanedione. It has a four-carbon chain that incorporates ketone carbonyls as
C-2 and C-3.
2,3-Butanedione
(biacetyl)
CH
3
CCCH
3
OO
5-Isopropenyl-2-methyl-2-
cyclohexenone (carvone)
O
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
C
2-Cyclohexenone
O
6
5
2
1
3
4
O
OH
H11013
O
CH
3
CCH
2
C(CH
3
)
2
OH
4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-
2-pentanone
H
CH
O
8
7
6
5 4
2
13
(E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
(citral)
CC
H
H
3
C
CH
H
O
(E)-2-Butenal
(crotonaldehyde)
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 437
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17.21 (a) Lithium aluminum hydride reduces aldehydes to primary alcohols.
(b) Sodium borohydride reduces aldehydes to primary alcohols.
(c) Aldehydes can be reduced to primary alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation.
(d) Aldehydes react with Grignard reagents to form secondary alcohols.
(e) Sodium acetylide adds to the carbonyl group of propanal to give an acetylenic alcohol.
( f ) Alkyl- or aryllithium reagents react with aldehydes in much the same way that Grignard
reagents do.
(g) Aldehydes are converted to acetals on reaction with alcohols in the presence of an acid
catalyst.
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
H11001 2CH
3
OH
Methanol
CH
3
CH
2
CH(OCH
3
)
2
Propanal dimethyl acetal
HCl
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
OH
CH
3
CH
2
CHC
6
H
5
1-Phenyl-1-propanol
1. C
6
H
5
Li,
diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
2. H
3
O
H11001
CNa,1. HC
liquid ammonia
CH
3
CH
2
CHC CH
OH
Propanal 1-Pentyn-3-ol
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
OH
CH
3
CH
2
CHCH
3
2-Butanol
1. CH
3
MgI,
diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1-Propanol
H
2
Ni
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1-Propanol
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1-Propanol
1. LiAlH
4
2. H
2
O
438 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(h) Cyclic acetal formation occurs when aldehydes react with ethylene glycol.
(i) Aldehydes react with primary amines to yield imines.
( j) Secondary amines combine with aldehydes to yield enamines.
(k) Oximes are formed on reaction of hydroxylamine with aldehydes.
(l) Hydrazine reacts with aldehydes to form hydrazones.
(m) Hydrazone formation is the first step in the Wolff–Kishner reduction (Section 12.8).
(n) The reaction of an aldehyde with p-nitrophenylhydrazine is analogous to that with hydrazine.
H
2
OH11001
Propanal Propanal
p-nitrophenylhydrazone
CH
3
CH
2
CH NNH NO
2
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
H11001
p-Nitrophenylhydrazine
O
2
N NHNH
2
CH
3
CH
2
CH NNH
2
Propanal hydrazone
N
2
H11001CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
Propane
NaOH
triethylene glycol, heat
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH NNH
2
Propanal hydrazone
H
2
NNH
2
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH NOH
Propanal oxime
H
2
NOH
H11001 (CH
3
)
2
NH
Dimethylamine 1-(Dimethylamino)propene
CH
3
CH CH
N(CH
3
)
2
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
p-toluenesulfonic acid
benzene
H11002H
2
O
H11001 C
6
H
5
NH
2
Aniline N-Propylideneaniline
CH
3
CH
2
CH NC
6
H
5
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
H11001
p-toluenesulfonic acid
benzene
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
Ethylene glycol
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal 2-Ethyl-1,3-dioxolane
CH
2
CH
3
H
OO
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 439
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(o) Semicarbazide converts aldehydes to the corresponding semicarbazone.
(p) Phosphorus ylides convert aldehydes to alkenes by a Wittig reaction.
(q) Acidification of solutions of sodium cyanide generates HCN, which reacts with aldehydes to
form cyanohydrins.
(r) Chromic acid oxidizes aldehydes to carboxylic acids.
17.22 (a) Lithium aluminum hydride reduces ketones to secondary alcohols.
(b) Sodium borohydride converts ketones to secondary alcohols.
(c) Catalytic hydrogenation of ketones yields secondary alcohols.
O
Cyclopentanone
OHH
Cyclopentanol
H
2
Ni
O
Cyclopentanone
OHH
Cyclopentanol
NaBH
4
CH
3
OH
1. LiAlH
4
2. H
2
O
O
Cyclopentanone
OHH
Cyclopentanol
Propanoic acid
CH
3
CH
2
CO
2
H
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
H
2
CrO
4
Propanal cyanohydrinHydrogen
cyanide
HCN
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
CH
3
CH
2
CHCN
OH
H11001
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
2-Pentene
CH
3
CH
2
CH CHCH
3
H11001
Ethylidenetriphenyl-
phosphorane
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P CHCH
3
H11001
H11002
H11001
Triphenylphosphine
oxide
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PO
H11001
H11002
H
2
O
Propanal
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
Semicarbazide
H
2
NNHCNH
2
O
Propanal semicarbazone
CH
3
CH
2
CH NNHCNH
2
O
H11001 H11001
440 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(d) Grignard reagents react with ketones to form tertiary alcohols.
(e) Addition of sodium acetylide to cyclopentanone yields a tertiary acetylenic alcohol.
( f ) Phenyllithium adds to the carbonyl group of cyclopentanone to yield 1-phenylcyclopentanol.
(g) The equilibrium constant for acetal formation from ketones is generally unfavorable.
(h) Cyclic acetal formation is favored even for ketones.
(i) Ketones react with primary amines to form imines.
( j) Dimethylamine reacts with cyclopentanone to yield an enamine.
H11001
O
Cyclopentanone
(CH
3
)
2
NH
Dimethylamine 1-(Dimethylamino)-
cyclopentene
N(CH
3
)
2
p-toluenesulfonic acid
benzene
H11001
O
Cyclopentanone
NC
6
H
5
N-Cyclopentylideneaniline
C
6
H
5
NH
2
Aniline
H11001
O
Cyclopentanone
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
Ethylene glycol 1,4-Dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane
OO
p-toluenesulfonic acid
benzene
H11001
K < 1
O
Cyclopentanone
2CH
3
OH
Methanol
OCH
3
CH
3
O
Cyclopentanone
dimethyl acetal
HCl
O
Cyclopentanone
OHC
6
H
5
1-Phenylcyclopentanol
1. C
6
H
5
Li,
diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
O
Cyclopentanone
1. HC
liquid ammonia
2. H
3
O
H11001
CNa,
1-Ethynylcyclopentanol
OHCHC
O
Cyclopentanone
OHH
3
C
1-Methylcyclopentanol
1. CH
3
MgI,
diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 441
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(k) An oxime is formed when cyclopentanone is treated with hydroxylamine.
(l ) Hydrazine reacts with cyclopentanone to form a hydrazone.
(m) Heating a hydrazone in base with a high-boiling alcohol as solvent converts it to an alkane.
(n)Ap-nitrophenylhydrazone is formed.
(o) Cyclopentanone is converted to a semicarbazone on reaction with semicarbazide.
(p) A Wittig reaction takes place, forming ethylidenecyclopentane.
H11001
Triphenylphosphine
oxide
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PO
H11001 H11002
H11001
Ethylidenetriphenyl-
phosphorane
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P CHCH
3
H11001
H11002
Ethylidenecyclo-
pentane
CHCH
3
Cyclopentanone
O
H11001H11001H
2
O
Cyclopentanone
H
2
NNHCNH
2
Semicarbazide
O
NNHCNH
2
Cyclopentanone
semicarbazone
O
O
H11001
NNH NO
2
Cyclopentanone
p-nitrophenylhydrazone
O
2
N NHNH
2
p-NitrophenylhydrazineCyclopentanone
O
Cyclopentane
H11001 N
2
NNH
2
Cyclopentanone
hydrazone
NaOH
triethylene
glycol, heat
O
Cyclopentanone
NNH
2
Cyclopentanone
hydrazone
H
2
NNH
2
O
Cyclopentanone
NOH
Cyclopentanone
oxime
H
2
NOH
442 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(q) Cyanohydrin formation takes place.
(r) Cyclopentanone is not oxidized readily with chromic acid.
17.23 (a) The first step in analyzing this problem is to write the structure of the starting ketone in stereo-
chemical detail.
Reduction of the ketone introduces a new stereogenic center, which may have either the R or
the S configuration; the configuration of the original stereogenic center is unaffected. In prac-
tice the 2R,3S diastereomer is observed to form in greater amounts than the 2S,3S (ratio 2.5:1
for LiAlH
4
reduction).
(b) Reduction of the ketone can yield either cis- or trans-4-tert-butylcyclohexanol.
It has been observed that the major product obtained on reduction with either lithium alu-
minum hydride or sodium borohydride is the trans alcohol (trans/cis H333609:1).
(c) The two reduction products are the exo and endo alcohols.
The major product is observed to be the endo alcohol (endo/exo 9:1) for reduction with
NaBH
4
or LiAlH
4
. The stereoselectivity observed in this reaction is due to decreased steric
hindrance to attack of the hydride reagent from the exo face of the molecule, giving rise to the
endo alcohol.
H
OH
endo-Bicyclo[2.2.1]-
heptan-2-ol
OH
H
exo-Bicyclo[2.2.1]-
heptan-2-ol
O
Bicyclo[2.2.1]-
heptan-2-one
H11001
H11001
4-tert-Butylcyclo-
hexanone
H
(CH
3
)
3
C
O
trans-4-tert-
Butylcyclohexanol
H
(CH
3
)
3
C
OH
H
cis-4-tert-
Butylcyclohexanol
H
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
OH
H11001
metal hydride reduction
(S)-3-Phenyl-2-
butanone
O
H C
6
H
5
(2R,3S)-3-Phenyl-
2-butanol
HO H
H C
6
H
5
(2S,3S)-3-Phenyl-
2-butanol
H OH
H C
6
H
5
O
Cyclopentanone Cyclopentanone
cyanohydrin
CNHO
NaCN
H
2
SO
4
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 443
Back Forward Main Menu TOC Study Guide TOC Student OLC MHHE Website
(d) The hydroxyl group may be on the same side as the double bond or on the opposite side.
The anti alcohol is observed to be formed in greater amounts (85:15) on reduction of the ke-
tone with LiAlH
4
. Steric factors governing attack of the hydride reagent again explain the
major product observed.
17.24 (a) Aldehydes undergo nucleophilic addition faster than ketones. Steric crowding in the rate-
determining step of the ketone reaction raises the energy of the transition state, giving rise to
a slower rate of reaction. Thus benzaldehyde is reduced by sodium borohydride more rapidly
than is acetophenone. The measured relative rates are
(b) The presence of an electronegative substituent on the H9251-carbon atom causes a dramatic in-
crease in K
hydr
. Trichloroethanal (chloral) is almost completely converted to its geminal diol
(chloral hydrate) in aqueous solution.
Electron-withdrawing groups such as Cl
3
C destabilize carbonyl groups to which they are at-
tached and make the energy change favoring the products of nucleophilic addition more fa-
vorable.
(c) Recall that the equilibrium constants for nucleophilic addition to carbonyl groups are gov-
erned by a combination of electronic effects and steric effects. Electronically there is little
difference between acetone and 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone, but sterically there is a significant
difference. The cyanohydrin products are more crowded than the starting ketones, and so the
K
rel
H11005 H33360 20,000
Cl
3
CCH
O
O
CH
3
CH
H11001 H
2
O Cl
3
CCH
OH
OH
2,2,2-Trichloro-1,1-ethanediol
(chloral hydrate)
Cl
3
CCH
O
Trichloroethanal
(chloral)
k
rel
H11005 H11005 440
C
6
H
5
CH
O
O
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
HO H
syn-Bicyclo[2.2.1]-
hept-2-en-7-ol
HOH
anti-Bicyclo[2.2.1]-
hept-2-en-7-ol
H11001
Bicyclo[2.2.1]-
hept-2-en-7-one
O
444 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
Back Forward Main Menu TOC Study Guide TOC Student OLC MHHE Website
bulkier the alkyl groups that are attached to the carbonyl, the more strained and less stable
will be the cyanohydrin.
(d) Steric effects influence the rate of nucleophilic addition to these two ketones. Carbon is on its
way from tricoordinate to tetracoordinate at the transition state, and alkyl groups are forced
closer together than they are in the ketone.
The transition state is of lower energy when R is smaller. Acetone (for which R is methyl) is
reduced faster than 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone (where R is tert-butyl).
(e) In this problem we examine the rate of hydrolysis of acetals to the corresponding ketone or
aldehyde. The rate-determining step is carbocation formation.
Hybridization at carbon changes from sp
3
to sp
2
; crowding at this carbon is relieved as the
carbocation is formed. The more crowded acetal (R H11005 CH
3
) forms a carbocation faster than
the less crowded one (R H11005 H). Another factor of even greater importance is the extent of
C OCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OHH11001
R
R
H11001
C
R OCH
2
CH
3
H
OCH
2
CH
3
R
H11001
k
rel
H11005 H11005 12
CH
3
CCH
3
O
O
CH
3
CC(CH
3
)
3
NaBH
4
Transition state
R
H
H
3
C
BH
3
CO
H9254H11002
H9254H11002
R
H
H
3
C
C OBH
3
H11002
sp
3
CO
H
3
C
R
sp
2
K
rel
40H11005H11005
CH
3
CCH
3
O
O
CH
3
CC(CH
3
)
3
H11001CO
Ketone
HCN
Hydrogen
cyanide
CH
3
CCN
OH
R
Cyanohydrin
[less strained for R H11005 CH
3
than for R H11005 C(CH
3
)
3
]
H
3
C
R
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 445
Back Forward Main Menu TOC Study Guide TOC Student OLC MHHE Website
stabilization of the carbocation intermediate; the more stable carbocation (R H11005 CH
3
) is formed
faster than the less stable one (R H11005 H).
17.25 (a) The reaction as written is the reverse of cyanohydrin formation, and the principles that govern
equilibria in nucleophilic addition to carbonyl groups apply in reverse order to the dissocia-
tion of cyanohydrins to aldehydes and ketones. Cyanohydrins of ketones dissociate more at
equilibrium than do cyanohydrins of aldehydes. More strain due to crowding is relieved when
a ketone cyanohydrin dissociates and a more stabilized carbonyl group is formed. The equi-
librium constant K
diss
is larger for
than it is for
(b) Cyanohydrins of ketones have a more favorable equilibrium constant for dissociation than do
cyanohydrins of aldehydes. Crowding is relieved to a greater extent when a ketone cyanohydrin
dissociates and a more stable carbonyl group is formed. The measured dissociation constants are
17.26 (a) The reaction of an aldehyde with 1,3-propanediol in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid
forms a cyclic acetal.
H11001
CH
3
O
CH
3
O Br
CH
3
OCH
O
2-Bromo-3,4,5-
trimethoxybenzaldehyde
O
O
CH
3
O
CH
3
O Br
CH
3
O
2-(2H11032-Bromo-3H11032,4H11032,5H11032-
trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxane
(81%)
HOCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1,3-Propanediol
p-toluenesulfonic acid
benzene, heat
C
6
H
5
CCN
OH
CH
3
Acetophenone
cyanohydrin
H11001 HCN K H11005 1.3
Acetophenone
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
O
C
6
H
5
CHCN
OH
Benzaldehyde
cyanohydrin
H11001 HCN K H11005 4.7 H11003 10
H110023
C
6
H
5
CH
O
Benzaldehyde
CH
3
CH
2
CHCN
OH
Propanal cyanohydrin
H11001 HCN
Hydrogen
cyanide
CH
3
CH
2
CH
O
Propanal
K
diss
CH
3
CCH
3
OH
CN
Acetone
cyanohydrin
H11001 HCN
Hydrogen
cyanide
CH
3
CCH
3
O
Acetone
K
diss
k
rel
H11005H11005 1.8 H11003 10
7
(CH
3
)
2
C(OCH
2
CH
3
)
2
CH
2
(OCH
2
CH
3
)
2
446 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(b) The reagent CH
3
ONH
2
is called O-methylhydroxylamine, and it reacts with aldehydes in a
manner similar to hydroxylamine.
(c) Propanal reacts with 1,1-dimethylhydrazine to yield the corresponding hydrazone.
(d) Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the acetal gives the aldehyde in 87% yield.
(e) Hydrogen cyanide adds to carbonyl groups to form cyanohydrins.
( f ) The reagent is a secondary amine known as morpholine. Secondary amines react with ke-
tones to give enamines.
(g) Migration of the alkyl group in a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation occurs with retention of
configuration.
H11001
Peroxybenzoic acid
O
C
6
H
5
COOH
(R)-3-Methyl-3-phenyl-2-
pentanone
O
H
3
C
CCH
3
CH
3
CH
2
(R)-1-Methyl-1-phenylpropyl
acetate
O
H
3
C
OCCH
3
CH
3
CH
2
HN OH11001
Acetophenone Morpholine Carbinolamine
intermediate
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
O
H
H11001
H
H11001
(H11002H
2
O)
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
OH
O
N
1-Morpholinostyrene
(57–64%)
C
6
H
5
CCH
2
O
N
NaCN
HCl
C
6
H
5
CCN
OH
CH
3
Acetophenone
cyanohydrin
C
6
H
5
CCH
3
O
Acetophenone
H
3
C CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
O
H
2
O, HCl
heat
H
3
C CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
CH
3
O
4-(p-Methylphenyl)pentanal
H11001 (CH
3
)
2
NNH
2
1,1-Dimethylhydrazine
NN(CH
3
)
2
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal dimethylhydrazone
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
Propanal
H11001
OCH
3
HO
CH
O
4-Hydroxy-2-
methoxybenzaldehyde
CH
3
ONH
2
O-Methyl-
hydroxylamine
OCH
3
HO
CH NOCH
3
4-Hydroxy-2-methoxybenzaldehyde
O-methyloxime
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 447
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17.27 Wolff–Kishner reduction converts a carbonyl group (C?O) to a methylene group (CH
2
).
Treatment of the alkene with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid produces an epoxide, compound B.
Epoxides undergo reduction with lithium aluminum hydride to form alcohols (Section 16.12).
Chromic acid oxidizes the alcohol to a ketone.
17.28 Hydration of formaldehyde by H
2
17
O produces a gem-diol in which the labeled and unlabeled
hydroxyl groups are equivalent. When this gem-diol reverts to formaldehyde, loss of either of the
hydroxyl groups is equally likely and leads to eventual replacement of the mass-16 isotope of
oxygen by
17
O.
This reaction has been monitored by
17
O NMR spectroscopy;
17
O gives an NMR signal, but
16
O does
not.
17.29 First write out the chemical equation for the reaction that takes place. Vicinal diols (1,2-diols) react
with aldehydes to give cyclic acetals.
H11001
H
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH
O
Benzaldehyde
HOCH
2
CH(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
OH
1,2-Octanediol
(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
OO
C
6
H
5
4-Hexyl-2-phenyl-
1,3-dioxolane
H
2
17
OH11001 H
2
16
OH11001
16
OC
H
H
17
OC
H
H
H
17
O
H
16
O
CH
2
H
2
CrO
4
HO
Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-3-ol Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-3-one
(compound D, 75%)
O
1. LiAlH
4
2. H
2
O
O
3,4-Epoxybicyclo[4.3.0]nonane
HO
Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-3-ol
(compound C, 90%)
Bicyclo[4.3.0]non-3-ene 3,4-Epoxybicyclo[4.3.0]nonane
(compound B, 92%)
O
COOH
Cl
O
N
2
H
4
, KOH
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
130H11034C
O
Bicyclo[4.3.0]non-
3-en-8-one
Bicyclo[4.3.0]non-3-ene
(compound A, 90%)
448 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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Notice that the phenyl and hexyl substituents may be either cis or trans to each other. The two prod-
ucts are the cis and trans stereoisomers.
17.30 Cyclic hemiacetals are formed by intramolecular nucleophilic addition of a hydroxyl group to a
carbonyl.
The ring oxygen is derived from the hydroxyl group; the carbonyl oxygen becomes the hydroxyl
oxygen of the hemiacetal.
(a) This compound is the cyclic hemiacetal of 5-hydroxypentanal.
Indeed, 5-hydroxypentanal seems to exist entirely as the cyclic hemiacetal. Its infrared spec-
trum lacks absorption in the carbonyl region.
(b) The carbon connected to two oxygens is the one that is derived from the carbonyl group.
Using retrosynthetic symbolism, disconnect the ring oxygen from this carbon.
The next two compounds are cyclic acetals. The original carbonyl group is identifiable as the one
that bears two oxygen substituents, which originate as hydroxyl oxygens of a diol.
(c)
O
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
H11013CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
OH
O
CH
3
CH
2
CHCHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CCH
3
OH
OH
O
Brevicomin 6,7-Dihydroxy-
2-nonanone
OOH O
H
HC
O
H11013 HCCH
2
CH
2
CHCH
OH
CH
2
CHCH
O
4-Hydroxy-5,7-octadienal
HOCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH H11013
O
H
2
C
H
2
C
O
H
CO
CH
2
CH
2
H
O OH
C
R
O
H
O
O
C
R
OH
Cyclic hemiacetal
OO
(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
C
6
H
5
H
H
cis-4-Hexyl-2-phenyl-
1,3-dioxolane
OO
(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
C
6
H
5
H
H
trans-4-Hexyl-2-phenyl-
1,3-dioxolane
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 449
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(d)
17.31 (a) The Z stereoisomer of CH
3
CH?NCH
3
has its higher ranked substituents on the same side of
the double bond,
The lone pair of nitrogen is lower in rank than any other substituent.
(b) Higher ranked groups are on opposite sides of the carbon–nitrogen double bond in the E
oxime of acetaldehyde.
(c)(Z)-2-Butanone hydrazone is
(d)(E)-Acetophenone semicarbazone is
17.32 Cyclopentanone reacts with peroxybenzoic acid to form a peroxy monoester. The alkyl group that
migrates is the ring itself, leading to formation of a six-membered lactone.
H11001H11001
O
O
5-Pentanolide
C
6
H
5
COOH
O
Peroxybenzoic
acid
Cyclopentanone
C
6
H
5
COH
O
Benzoic acid
O
O
OCC
6
H
5
HO
O
CN
H
3
C NHCNH
2
Higher
Higher
O
CN
H
3
C
NH
2
Higher
CH
3
CH
2
Higher
(E)-Acetaldehyde
oxime
CN
H
H
3
C
OH
Higher
Higher
Higher
CN
H
CH
3
H
3
C
Higher
Lower
(Z )-N-Ethylidenemethylamine
O
O
CH
2
CH
3
OH
HOCH
2
Talaromycin A
CH
2
CH
3
HOCH
2
OH
OH
OH
O
C
2,8-Di(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-
dihydroxy-5-decanone
450 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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17.33 (a) The bacterial enzyme cyclohexanone monooxygenase was described in Section 17.16 as able
to catalyze a biological Baeyer–Villiger reaction. Compound A is 4-methylcyclohexanone.
(b) The product of Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of 4-methylcyclohexanone with peroxyacetic acid
would be the racemic cyclic ester (lactone), not the single enantiomer shown in part (a) from
the enzyme-catalyzed oxidation.
17.34 (a) Nucleophilic ring opening of the epoxide occurs by attack of methoxide at the less hindered
carbon.
The anion formed in this step loses a chloride ion to form the carbon–oxygen double bond of
the product.
(b) Nucleophilic addition of methoxide ion to the aldehyde carbonyl generates an oxyanion,
which can close to an epoxide by an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction.
The epoxide formed in this process then undergoes nucleophilic ring opening on attack by a
second methoxide ion.
17.35 Amygdalin is a derivative of the cyanohydrin formed from benzaldehyde; thus the structure
(without stereochemistry) is
C
6
H
5
CH
CN
OR
R H11005 H, benzaldehyde
cyanohydrin
CHOCH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
OCH
3
O
H11002
(CH
3
)
3
CCHCHOCH
3
OCH
3
OH
H11001(CH
3
)
3
CCH CHOCH
3
O
OCH
3
H11002
CH
3
OH
H11001(CH
3
)
3
CCH CHOCH
3
O
Cl
H11002
H11001(CH
3
)
3
CCHCH
Cl
OCH
3
H11002
O
CHOCH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
Cl
O
H11002
CH
2
OCH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CC
O
Cl
H11002
(CH
3
)
3
CCCH
2
OCH
3
Cl
H11002
H11001
O
CH
2
OCH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CC
O
Cl
H11002
H11001C CH
2
Cl
(CH
3
)
3
C
O
OCH
3
H11002
4-Methylcyclohexanone
(Compound A)
O
CH
3
O
2
,
cyclohexanone monoxygenase,
and coenzymes
Compound B
O
O
H
3
C
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 451
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The order of decreasing sequence rule precedence is HO H11022 CN H11022 C
6
H
5
H11022 H. The groups are
arranged in a clockwise orientation in order of decreasing precedence in the R enantiomer.
17.36 (a) The target molecule is the diethyl acetal of acetaldehyde (ethanal).
Acetaldehyde may be prepared by oxidation of ethanol.
Reaction with ethanol in the presence of hydrogen chloride yields the desired acetal.
(b) In this case the target molecule is a cyclic acetal of acetaldehyde.
Acetaldehyde has been prepared in part (a). Recalling that vicinal diols are available from the
hydroxylation of alkenes, 1,2-ethanediol may be prepared by the sequence
Hydrolysis of ethylene oxide is also reasonable.
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
CH
3
COOH
Ethylene Ethylene oxide 1,2-Ethanediol
H
2
CCH
2
H
2
C CH
2
H
2
O
HO
H11002
O
O
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
1,2-Ethanediol
H
2
CCH
2
Ethylene
H
2
SO
4
heat
OsO
4
, (CH
3
)
3
COOH
(CH
3
)
3
COH, HO
H11002
2-Methyl-1,3-dioxolane
HOCH
2
CH
2
OHandCH
3
CH
O
OO
H CH
3
CH
3
CH(OCH
2
CH
3
)
2
Acetaldehyde diethyl acetal
H11001CH
3
CH
O
Acetaldehyde
2CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
HCl
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
CH
3
CH
O
Acetaldehyde
PCC
CH
2
Cl
2
CH
3
CH
O
and CH
3
CH
2
OHCH
3
CH(OCH
2
CH
3
)
2
Acetaldehyde diethyl acetal
(R)-Benzaldehyde
cyanohydrin
C
6
H
5
H
OH
CN
C
452 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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Reaction of acetaldehyde with 1,2-ethanediol yields the cyclic acetal.
(c) The target molecule is, in this case, the cyclic acetal of 1,2-ethanediol and formaldehyde.
The preparation of 1,2-ethanediol was described in part (b). One method of preparing
formaldehyde is by ozonolysis of ethylene.
Another method is periodate cleavage of 1,2-ethanediol.
Cyclic acetal formation is then carried out in the usual way.
(d) Acetylenic alcohols are best prepared from carbonyl compounds and acetylide anions.
Acetaldehyde is available as in part (a). Alkynes such as acetylene are available from the
corresponding alkene by bromination followed by double dehydrobromination. Using ethyl-
ene, prepared in part (b), the sequence becomes
H
2
CCH
2
Ethylene Acetylene
BrCH
2
CH
2
Br
1,2-Dibromoethane
Br
2
NaNH
2
NH
3
HC CH
H11001CH
3
CH
O
3-Butyn-2-ol
OH
CH
3
CHC CH
H11002
CCH
H11001
H
H11001
OO
1,3-Dioxolane
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
1,2-Ethanediol
HCH
O
Formaldehyde
2HCH
O
Formaldehyde
HOCH
2
CH
2
OH
1,2-Ethanediol
HIO
4
2HCH
O
Formaldehyde
H
2
CCH
2
Ethylene
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Ethanol
H
2
SO
4
heat
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
OO
1,3-Dioxolane
HOCH
2
CH
2
OHandHCH
O
2-Methyl-1,3-dioxolane1,2-Ethanediol
HOCH
2
CH
2
OHH11001
Acetaldehyde
CH
3
CH
O
OO
H CH
3
H
H11001
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 453
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Then
(e) The target aldehyde may be prepared from the corresponding alcohol.
The best route to this alcohol is through reaction of an acetylide ion with ethylene oxide.
Oxidation with PCC or PDC is appropriate for the final step.
( f ) The target molecule has four carbon atoms, suggesting a route involving reaction of an ethyl
Grignard reagent with ethylene oxide.
Ethylmagnesium bromide is prepared in the usual way.
Reaction of the Grignard reagent with ethylene oxide, prepared in part (b), completes the
synthesis.
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OHCH
3
CH
2
MgBr H
2
C CH
2
H11001
2. H
3
O
H11001
1. diethyl ether
Ethylmagnesium
bromide
Ethylene
oxide
1-Butanol
O
CH
3
CH
2
OH CH
3
CH
2
Br CH
3
CH
2
MgBr
HBr or
PBr
3
Mg
diethyl ether
Ethanol Bromoethane Ethylmagnesium
bromide
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH CH
3
CH
2
H
2
C CH
2
H11001
H11002
O
3-Butyn-1-ol 3-Butynal
CCH
2
CH
2
OHHC
PCC or PDC
CH
2
Cl
2
CCH
2
CHHC
O
H11001
1. diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
H
2
CCH
2
O
Ethylene oxide
[prepared in part (b)]
HC CCH
2
CH
2
OH
3-Butyn-1-ol
HC CNa
Sodium acetylide
[prepared in part (d)]
3-Butynal
O
HCCH
2
CCH
3-Butyn-1-ol
HOCH
2
CH
2
CCH
NaNH
2
Acetylene
HC CH
Sodium acetylide
HC CNa
3-Butyn-2-ol
HC
OH
CCHCH
3
1. CH
3
CH
O
2. H
3
O
H11001
454 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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17.37 (a) Friedel–Crafts acylation of benzene with benzoyl chloride is a direct route to benzophenone.
(b) On analyzing the overall transformation retrosynthetically, we see that the target molecule
may be prepared by a Grignard synthesis followed by oxidation of the alcohol formed.
In the desired synthesis, benzyl alcohol must first be oxidized to benzaldehyde.
Reaction of benzaldehyde with the Grignard reagent of bromobenzene followed by oxidation
of the resulting secondary alcohol gives benzophenone.
(c) Hydrolysis of bromodiphenylmethane yields the corresponding alcohol, which can be oxi-
dized to benzophenone as in part (b).
(d) The starting material is the dimethyl acetal of benzophenone. All that is required is acid-
catalyzed hydrolysis.
2H
2
O
H
H11001
Dimethoxydiphenyl-
methane
C
6
H
5
CC
6
H
5
OCH
3
OCH
3
C
6
H
5
CC
6
H
5
O
BenzophenoneWater Methanol
H11001 2CH
3
OHH11001
C
6
H
5
CHC
6
H
5
H
2
O
Bromodiphenylmethane Diphenylmethanol
C
6
H
5
CHC
6
H
5
OHBr
oxidize
C
6
H
5
CC
6
H
5
O
Benzophenone
C
6
H
5
MgBrC
6
H
5
CH
O
1. diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
Benzaldehyde Phenylmagnesium
bromide
Diphenylmethanol
H11001 C
6
H
5
CHC
6
H
5
OH
PDC
CH
2
Cl
2
C
6
H
5
CC
6
H
5
O
Benzophenone
C
6
H
5
CH
2
OH C
6
H
5
CH
O
PDC
CH
2
Cl
2
Benzyl alcohol Benzaldehyde
C
6
H
5
MgBrH11001C
6
H
5
CHC
6
H
5
OH
C
6
H
5
CC
6
H
5
O
C
6
H
5
CH
O
Benzoyl chloride Benzene Benzophenone
CCl
O
H11001
AlCl
3
C
O
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 455
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(e) Oxidative cleavage of the alkene yields benzophenone. Ozonolysis may be used.
17.38 The two alcohols given as starting materials contain all the carbon atoms of the desired product.
What is needed is to attach the two groups together so that the two primary alcohol carbons become
doubly bonded to each other. This can be accomplished by using a Wittig reaction as the key step.
Alternatively, allyl alcohol could be oxidized to CH
2
?CHCHO for subsequent reaction with the
ylide derived from CH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH?CHCH
2
CH?CHCH
2
CH
2
OH via its bromide and triphenyl-
phosphonium salt.
17.39 The expected course of the reaction would be hydrolysis of the acetal to the corresponding aldehyde.
H11001
H
2
O
HCl
C
6
H
5
CHCH(OCH
3
)
2
OH
Compound A
(mandelaldehyde
dimethyl acetal)
C
6
H
5
CHCH
OH
O
Mandelaldehyde
2CH
3
OH
Methanol
O
CHCH
2
CHCHCH
2
CHCH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH
3,6-Hexadecadienal Allylidenetriphenylphosphorane
1,3,6,9-Nonadecatetraene
CH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH CHCH
2
CH CHCH
2
CH CHCH CH
2
H11001 CH
2
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001 H11002
CHCH
Allyltriphenylphosphonium bromide
Allylidenetriphenylphosphorane
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H
2
C CHCH
2
BrH
2
C CHCH
2
OH
Allyl alcohol Allyl bromide
PBr
3
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Li, THF
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PCH
2
CH CH
2
Br
H11002
H11001
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P CH
2
CHCH
H11002
H11001
CHCH
2
CHCH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH CHCH
2
CH
2
OH
3,6-Hexadecadien-1-ol 3,6-Hexadecadienal
PCC
CH
2
Cl
2
CHCH
2
CHCH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH CHCH
2
CH
O
CH
2
CHCHCHCH
2
CHCH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH CHCH
2
CH
3,6-Hexadecadien-1-ol Allyl alcohol
CH
3
(CH
2
)
8
CH CHCH
2
CH CHCH
2
CH
2
OH and HOCH
2
CH CH
2
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
1,1,2,2-Tetraphenylethene
2(C
6
H
5
)
2
C O
Benzophenone
(C
6
H
5
)
2
C C(C
6
H
5
)
2
456 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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The molecular formula of the observed product (compound B, C
16
H
16
O
4
) is exactly twice that of
mandelaldehyde. This suggests that it might be a dimer of mandelaldehyde resulting from hemiac-
etal formation between the hydroxyl group of one mandelaldehyde molecule and the carbonyl group
of another.
Because compound B lacks carbonyl absorption in its infrared spectrum, the cyclic structure is
indicated.
17.40 (a) Recalling that alkanes may be prepared by hydrogenation of the appropriate alkene, a synthe-
sis of the desired product becomes apparent. What is needed is to convert @C?O into
@C?CH
2
; a Wittig reaction is appropriate.
The two-step procedure that was followed used a Wittig reaction to form the carbon–carbon
bond, then catalytic hydrogenation of the resulting alkene.
(b) In putting together the carbon skeleton of the target molecule, a methyl group has to be added
to the original carbonyl carbon.
The logical way to do this is by way of a Grignard reagent.
H11001
1. diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
O
C
6
H
5
C
Cyclopentyl phenyl
ketone
CH
3
OH
C
6
H
5
C
1-Cyclopentyl-1-
phenylethanol
CH
3
MgI
Methylmagnesium
iodide
C
6
H
5
H
3
C
C
CH
3
OH
C
6
H
5
C H11001
O
C
6
H
5
C CH
3
H11002
THF
H
2
, Pt
acetic acid
H11001O
5,5-Dimethylcyclononanone
CH
2
5,5-Dimethyl-1-
methylenecyclononane (59%)
CH
3
1,1,5-Trimethylcyclononane
(73%)
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PCH
2
H11001
H11002
H
3
C
H
3
C
H
3
C
H
3
C
H
3
C
H
3
C
?
O
H
3
C
H
3
C
5,5-Dimethylcyclononanone
H
3
C
CH
3
H
H
3
C
1,1,5-Trimethylcyclononane
C
6
H
5
CH CH
O
OH
O
HO
CHCHC
6
H
5
C
6
H
5
CH C
O
H
HO
CHC
6
H
5
HC
O
OH
OO
C
6
H
5
C
6
H
5
OH
HO
Compound B
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 457
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Acid-catalyzed dehydration yields the more highly substituted alkene, the desired product, in
accordance with the Zaitsev rule.
(c) Analyzing the transformation retrosynthetically, keeping in mind the starting materials stated
in the problem, we see that the carbon skeleton may be constructed in a straightforward
manner.
Proceeding with the synthesis in the forward direction, reaction between the Grignard
reagent of o-bromotoluene and 5-hexenal produces most of the desired carbon skeleton.
Oxidation of the resulting alcohol to the ketone followed by a Wittig reaction leads to the final
product.
Acid-catalyzed dehydration of the corresponding tertiary alcohol would not be suitable, be-
cause the major elimination product would have the more highly substituted double bond.
H
H11001
heat
2-(o-Methylphenyl)-6-hepten-2-ol 6-(o-Methylphenyl)-1,5-heptadiene
C(CH
2
)
3
CH
CH
3
OH
CH
3
CH
2
C
CH
3
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH CH
2
PCC
CH
2
Cl
2
1-(o-Methylphenyl)-5-hexen-1-ol 1-(o-Methylphenyl)-5-hexen-1-one
CH(CH
2
)
3
CH
OH
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
2
)
3
CH
O
CH
3
CH
2
2-(o-Methylphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene
C(CH
2
)
3
CH
CH
2
CH
3
CH
2
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PCH
2
H11001 H11002
1. diethyl ether
2. H
3
O
H11001
o-Methylphenylmagnesium
bromide
5-Hexenal 1-(o-Methylphenyl)-5-hexen-1-ol
MgBr
CH
3
O
H
2
C CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
CH(CH
2
)
3
CH
OH
CH
3
CH
2
H11001
CH
3
CH(CH
2
)
3
CH
OH
CH
2
CH
3
MgBr
HC(CH
2
)
3
CH
O
CH
2
H11001
CH
3
C(CH
2
)
3
CH
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
C(CH
2
)
3
CH
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
O
CH
2
H11001
H11001
CH
2
H11002
C
6
H
5
C
OH
CH
3
C
6
H
5
H
3
C
1-Cyclopentyl-1-phenylethanol (1-Phenylethylidene)cyclopentane
H
3
PO
4
heat
458 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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(d) Remember that terminal acetylenes can serve as sources of methyl ketones by hydration.
This gives us a clue as to how to proceed, since the acetylenic ketone may be prepared from
the starting acetylenic alcohol.
The first synthetic step is oxidation of the primary alcohol to the aldehyde and construction of
the carbon skeleton by a Grignard reaction.
Oxidation of the secondary alcohol to a ketone and hydration of the terminal triple bond com-
plete the synthesis.
(e) The desired product is a benzylic ether. To prepare it, the aldehyde must first be reduced to the
corresponding primary alcohol. Sodium borohydride was used in the preparation described in
the literature, but lithium aluminum hydride or catalytic hydrogenation would also be possi-
ble. Once the alcohol is prepared, it can be converted to its alkoxide ion and this alkoxide ion
treated with methyl iodide.
Alternatively, the alcohol could be treated with hydrogen bromide or with phosphorus tribro-
mide to give the benzylic bromide and the bromide then allowed to react with sodium
methoxide.
17.41 Step 1 of the synthesis is formation of a cyclic acetal protecting group; the necessary reagents are
ethylene glycol (HOCH
2
CH
2
OH) and p-toluenesulfonic acid, with heating in benzene. In step 2 the
ester function is reduced to a primary alcohol. Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH
4
) is the reagent of
choice. Oxidation with PCC in CH
2
Cl
2
converts the primary alcohol to an aldehyde in step 3.
Cl CH
3
CH
2
Br
Cl CH
3
CH
2
OH
Cl CH
3
CH
2
OCH
3
HBr
or PBr
3
NaOCH
3
CH
3
OH
Cl H
3
C
CH
O
Cl CH
3
CH
2
OH
Cl CH
3
CH
2
OCH
3
NaBH
4
H
2
O
1. NaH
2. CH
3
I
1-Undecyn-5-ol
HC CCH
2
CH
2
CH(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
OH
2,5-Undecanedione
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
2
C(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
O O
1-Undecyn-5-one
O
HC CCH
2
CH
2
C(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
PDC
CH
2
Cl
2
H
2
O, H
2
SO
4
HgSO
4
4-Pentyn-1-ol
HC CCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1-Undecyn-5-ol
HC CCH
2
CH
2
CH(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
OH
4-Pentynal
O
HC CCH
2
CH
2
CH
PDC
CH
2
Cl
2
1. CH
3
(CH
2
)
5
MgBr
2. H
3
O
H11001
HC CCH
2
CH
2
C(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
O
HC CCH
2
CH
2
CH
O
HC CCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OHH11001 CH
3
(CH
2
)
4
CH
2
H11002
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
2
C(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
O O
HC CCH
2
CH
2
C(CH
2
)
5
CH
3
O
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 459
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Wolff–Kishner reduction (N
2
H
4
, KOH, ethylene glycol, heat) converts the aldehyde group to a
methyl group in step 4. The synthesis is completed in step 5 by hydrolysis (H
3
O
H11001
) of the acetal-
protecting group.
17.42 We need to assess the extent of resonance donation to the carbonyl group by the H9266 electrons of the
aromatic rings. Such resonance for benzaldehyde may be written as
Electron-releasing groups such as methoxy at positions ortho and para to the aldehyde function
increase the “single-bond character” of the aldehyde by stabilizing the dipolar resonance forms
and increasing their contribution to the overall electron distribution in the molecule. Electron-
withdrawing groups such as nitro decrease this single-bond character. The aldehyde with the low-
est carbonyl stretching frequency is 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzaldehyde; the one with the highest is
2,4,6-trinitrobenzaldehyde. The measured values are
17.43 The signal in the
1
H NMR spectrum at H9254 9.7 ppm tells us that the compound is an aldehyde rather
than a ketone. The 2H signal at H9254 2.4 ppm indicates that the group adjacent to the carbonyl is a
CH
2
group. The remaining signals support the assignment of the compound as butanal.
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
O
Doublet of
triplets at 2.4 ppm
Triplet at
1 ppm
Sextet
at 1.7 ppm
Signal
at 9.7 ppm
CHO
CH
3
O OCH
3
OCH
3
CHO
O
2
NNO
2
NO
2
CHO
2,4,6-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde
(1665 cm
H110021
)
2,4,6-Trinitrobenzaldehyde
(1715 cm
H110021
)
Benzaldehyde
(1700 cm
H110021
)
CH
O
CH
O
H11002
H11001
CH
O
H11002
H11001
CH
O
H11002
H11001
1
45
3
O
O
O
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OHCOCH
3
O
O
COCH
3
O
2
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
CH
460 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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17.44 A carbonyl group is evident from the strong infrared absorption at 1710 cm
H110021
. Since all the
1
H NMR
signals are singlets, there are no nonequivalent hydrogens in a vicinal or “three-bond” relationship.
The three-proton signal at H9254 2.1 ppm, and the 2-proton signal at H9254 2.3 ppm can be understood as
arising from a unit. The intense 9-proton singlet at H9254 1.0 ppm is due to the three equiva-
lent methyl groups of a (CH
3
)
3
C unit. The compound is 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanone.
17.45 The molecular formula of compounds A and B (C
6
H
10
O
2
) indicates an index of hydrogen deficiency
of 2. Because we are told the compounds are diketones, the two carbonyl groups account for all the
unsaturations.
The
1
H NMR spectrum of compound A has only two peaks, both singlets, at H9254 2.2 and 2.8 ppm.
Their intensity ratio (6:4) is consistent with two equivalent methyl groups and two equivalent meth-
ylene groups. The chemical shifts are appropriate for
The simplicity of the spectrum can be understood if we are dealing with a symmetric diketone.
The correct structure is
Compound B is an isomer of compound A. The triplet–quartet pattern in the
1
H NMR spectrum
is consistent with an ethyl group and, because the triplet is equivalent to 6 protons and the quartet to
4, it is likely that two equivalent ethyl groups are present. The two ethyl groups account for four car-
bons, and because the problem stipulates that the molecule is a diketone, all the carbons are ac-
counted for. The only C
6
H
10
O
2
diketone with two equivalent ethyl groups is 3,4-hexanedione.
17.46 From its molecular formula (C
11
H
14
O), the compound has a total of five double bonds and rings. The
presence of signals in the region H9254 7 to 8 ppm suggests an aromatic ring is present, accounting for
four of the elements of unsaturation. The presence of a strong peak at 1700 cm
H110021
in the infrared
spectrum indicates the presence of a carbonyl group, accounting for the remaining element of
3,4-Hexanedione (compound B)
CH
3
CH
2
C CCH
2
CH
3
OO
1.3 ppm
triplet
2.8 ppm
quartet
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
2
CCH
3
O O
Equivalent methylene
groups do not split
each other.
2,5-Hexanedione (compound A)
andCH
3
C
O
CH
2
C
O
CH
3
CCH
2
C(CH
3
)
3
O
2.1 ppm
singlet
1.0 ppm
singlet
2.3 ppm
singlet
4,4-Dimethyl-2-pentanone
CH
2
CCH
3
O
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 461
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unsaturation. The highest field peak in the NMR spectrum is a 3-proton triplet, corresponding to the
methyl group of a CH
3
CH
2
unit. The 2-proton signal at H9254 3.0 ppm corresponds to a CH
2
unit adja-
cent to the carbonyl group and, because it is a triplet, suggests the grouping CH
2
CH
2
C?O. The
compound is butyl phenyl ketone (1-phenyl-1-pentanone).
17.47 With a molecular formula of C
7
H
14
O, the compound has an index of hydrogen deficiency of 1. We
are told that it is a ketone, so it has no rings or double bonds other than the one belonging to its
C?O group. The peak at 211 ppm in the
13
C NMR spectrum corresponds to the carbonyl carbon.
Only three other signals occur in the spectrum, and so there are only three types of carbons other
than the carbonyl carbon. This suggests that the compound is the symmetrical ketone 4-heptanone.
17.48 Compounds A and B are isomers and have an index of hydrogen deficiency of 5. Signals in the
region 125–140 ppm in their
13
C NMR spectra suggest an aromatic ring, and a peak at 200 ppm
indicates a carbonyl group. An aromatic ring contributes one ring and three double bonds, and a
carbonyl group contributes one double bond, and so the index of hydrogen deficiency of 5 is sat-
isfied by a benzene ring and a carbonyl group. The carbonyl group is attached directly to the ben-
zene ring, as evidenced by the presence of a peak at m/z 105 in the mass spectra of compounds A
and B.
Each
13
C NMR spectrum shows four aromatic signals, and so the rings are monosubstituted.
Compound A has three unique carbons in addition to C
6
H
5
C?O and so must be 1-phenyl-1-
butanone. Compound B has only two additional signals and so must be 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-
propanone.
17.49–17.50 Solutions to molecular modeling exercises are not provided in this Study Guide and Solutions Man-
ual. You should use Learning By Modeling for these exercises.
Compound A Compound B
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
CCH(CH
3
)
2
O
CO
H11001
mH11408z 105
4-Heptanone
(all chemical shifts in ppm)
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
141745211451714
Butyl phenyl ketone
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
3.0 ppm
triplet
1.0 ppm triplet
Multiplets at 1.4
and 1.7 ppm
462 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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SELF-TEST
PART A
A-1. Give the correct IUPAC name for each of the following:
A-2. Write the structural formulas for
(a)(E)-3-Hexen-2-one
(b) 3-Cyclopropyl-2,4-pentanedione
(c) 3-Ethyl-4-phenylpentanal
A-3. For each of the following reactions supply the structure of the missing reactant, reagent, or
product:
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH O ?(h)
Na
2
Cr
2
O
7
H
H11001
, H
2
O
C
6
H
5
C
N(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
3
(g) H11001 ??
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH 2CH
3
CH
2
OH( f ) H11001 ?
O
HCl
O
CH
3
C
6
H
5
NHNH
2
?(e) H11001
(d)OH11001 ? CHCH
2
CH
3
?(c) (two products)
H
2
O, H
H11001
O
O
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
C
6
H
5
CH C
6
H
5
CH NOH(b) H11001 ?
O
O HCN ?(a) H11001
CN
H11002
O
(d)(CH
3
)
3
CCCH
2
CH(CH
3
)
2
(b)
O
Br
(c)
CH
3
O
CH
3
CH
2
CHCHCH
2
CH(a)
CH
3
O
CH
3
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 463
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A-4. Write the structures of the products, compounds A through E, of the reaction steps shown.
A-5. Give the reagents necessary to convert cyclohexanone into each of the following com-
pounds. More than one step may be necessary.
A-6. (a) What two organic compounds react together (in the presence of an acid catalyst) to
give the compound shown, plus a molecule of water?
(b) Draw the structure of the open-chain form of the following cyclic acetal:
A-7. Outline reaction schemes to carry out each of the following interconversions, using any
necessary organic or inorganic reagents.
(b)to
O
OH
CH
3
O
HO
CH
3
CH
3
(CH
3
)
2
Cto CHCH
3
(CH
3
)
2
C(a)O
O
O
O
H
3
C CH
3
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
O
O
(d) O
O
CH
2
(b)
(c)
O
O
CH
3
(a)
C
6
H
5
CH
2
CHCH
3
OH
D(b)
PCC
CH
2
Cl
2
D H11001 CH
3
COOH
O
E H11001 CH
3
COH
O
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P H11001 (CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
Br A(a)
A H11001 CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Li B H11001 C
4
H
10
B H11001 benzaldehyde C H11001 (C
6
H
5
)
3
P O
H11002
H11001
464 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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A-8. Write a stepwise mechanism for the formation of CH
3
CH(OCH
3
)
2
from acetaldehyde and
methanol under conditions of acid catalysis.
A-9. Suggest a structure for an unknown compound, C
9
H
10
O, that exhibits a strong infrared ab-
sorption at 1710 cm
H110021
and has a
1
H NMR spectrum that consists of three singlets at H9254 2.1 ppm
(3H), 3.7 ppm (2H), and 7.2 ppm (5H).
PART B
B-1. Which of the compounds shown is (are) correctly named as pentane derivatives, either as
pentanals or pentanones?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1 and 3 (e) None of them
B-2. The compound shown is best classified as a(an)
(a) Carbinolamine (d) Imine
(b) Enamine (e) Oxime
(c) Hydrazone
B-3. When a nucleophile encounters a ketone, the site of attack is
(a) The carbon atom of the carbonyl
(b) The oxygen atom of the carbonyl
(c) Both the carbon and oxygen atoms, with equal probability
(d) No attack occurs—ketones do not react with nucleophiles.
B-4. What reagent and/or reaction conditions would you choose to bring about the following con-
version?
(a) 1. LiAlH
4
,2.H
2
O(c)H
2
O, H
2
SO
4
, heat
(b)H
2
O, NaOH, heat (d) PCC, CH
2
Cl
2
B-5. Rank the following in order of increasing value of the equilibrium constant for hydration,
K
hyd
(smallest value first).
(a)1H11021 2 H11021 3(b)3H11021 1 H11021 2(c)2H11021 1 H11021 3(d)2H11021 3 H11021 1
O
1 2
O
3
O
(CH
3
)
3
CCC(CH
3
)
3
O
O
CH O HOCH
2
CH
2
OHH11001
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CH?NCH
3
3
O
H
2
O H
O
1
(c)
O
CO
2
H
O
CH
2
Br
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 465
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B-6. The structure
would be best classified as a(n)
(a) Acetal (c) Hydrate
(b) Hemiacetal (d) Cyanohydrin
B-7. Which of the following pairs of reactants is most effective in forming an enamine?
(d) None of these forms an enamine.
B-8. Which of the following species is an ylide?
(a)(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001
CH
2
CH
3
Br
H11002
(d) None of these
B-9. Which pair of the following compounds could serve as the reagents X and Y in the follow-
ing reaction sequence?
XY XY
(a)1 5 (d)2 5
(b)1 4 (e)3 4
(c)2 4
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
Br
1
(CH
3
)
2
CHBr
23
CH
3
CH
2
CHBr
CH
3
4
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
O
5
CH
3
CCH
3
O
X
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P
Y
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Li
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
C
(C
6
H
5
)
3
PCHCH
3
(b)
H11001
H11002
(C
6
H
5
)
3
P(c)
O
CHCH
3
CH
2
(CH
3
)
3
CNH
2
O
(c) H11001
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
O
(b) H11001 (CH
3
)
2
NH
CH
3
CH
2
CH(a) H11001 [(CH
3
)
2
CH]
2
NH
O
O
OH
H
466 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
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B-10. The final product of the following sequence of reactions is.
B-11. Which of the following sets of reagents, used in the order shown, would successfully ac-
complish the conversion shown?
B-12. Which of the following species is the conjugate acid of the hemiacetal formed by reaction of
benzaldehyde with methanol containing a trace of acid?
C
6
H
5
CH(c)
H11001
OCH
3
H
OH
C
6
H
5
CH
OH
(e)
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH OCH
3
(b)
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH(d)
OH
2
OH
H11001
C
6
H
5
CH(a)
OCH
3
OH
(a) CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
MgBr; H
3
O
H11001
; PCC, CH
2
Cl
2
(b) CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
MgBr; H
3
O
H11001
; H
2
SO
4
, heat; PCC, CH
2
Cl
2
CHCH
2
CH
3
; B
2
H
6
; H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
(c) (C
6
H
5
)
3
P
H11001
H11002
H11001
H11002
CHCH
2
CH
3
; H
2
SO
4
, H
2
O(d) (C
6
H
5
)
3
P
CCH
3
O
CHCHCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
OH
?
(CH
3
O)
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH(e)
O
HCCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH(d)
O O
HCCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH(c)
O
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH(b)
O
CH
3
OCCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH(a)
O
(CH
3
O)
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Br ?
Mg H
2
C O H
3
O
H11001
heat
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 467
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B-13. Which sequence represents the best synthesis of hexanal?
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH?O
Hexanal
(a)1.CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Br H11001 NaC>CH (c)1.
2. H
2
O, H
2
SO
4
, HgSO
4
2. CH
3
MgBr, diethyl ether
3. H
3
O
H11001
4. PCC, CH
2
Cl
2
(b)1. (d)1. CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
MgBr H11001 H
2
C CH
2
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CCH
3
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH CH
3
COOHCH
2
H11001
O
468 ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP
2. 2. H
3
O
H11001
3. LiAlH
4
3. PCC, CH
2
Cl
2
4. H
2
O
5. PCC, CH
2
Cl
2
B-14. The amino ketone shown undergoes a spontaneous cyclization on standing. What is the
product of this intramolecular reaction?
(a)(d)
(b)(e)
(c)
NH
2
CH
3
N
CH
3
CH
3
NH
2
CH
3
N
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
O
CCH
3
CH
3
CH
2
CHNH
2
O
CH
3
COOH
O
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B-15. Which of the following compounds would have a
1
H NMR spectrum consisting of three sin-
glets?
B-16. Which of the following compounds would have the fewest number of signals in its
13
C NMR
spectrum?
CH
3
CHCCH
2
CH
3
(d)
O
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
(b)
O
CH
3
CHCCHCH
3
(c)
O
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CCH
2
CCH
3
(a)
CH
3
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH(d)
O
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
(b)
O
HCCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH(c)
O O
CH
3
CCH
2
CCH
3
(a)
CH
3
O
CH
3
ALDEHYDES AND KETONES: NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION TO THE CARBONYL GROUP 469
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