Chapter 14: Problem 42
Acetaldehyde is the rearrangement product of (1) Methyl alcohol (2) Alky] alcohol (3) Vinyl alcohol (4) All are correct
Short Answer
Expert verified
3) Vinyl alcohol
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the compounds
List each of the given compounds: Methyl alcohol (CH₃OH), Alkyl alcohol (general form R-OH), and Vinyl alcohol (CH₂=CH-OH).
02
- Understand rearrangement
Rearrangement refers to a structural change in the molecule resulting in a different compound. We need to identify if acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) can be formed through structural rearrangement.
03
- Analyze Methyl alcohol rearrangement
Assess if Methyl alcohol (CH₃OH) can rearrange to form acetaldehyde: CH₃OH cannot be rearranged to form CH₃CHO.
04
- Analyze Alkyl alcohol rearrangement
Assess the general form of Alkyl alcohol (R-OH) and consider if it can rearrange to form acetaldehyde: Alkyl alcohols cannot be specifically concluded as being able to rearrange into CH₃CHO.
05
- Analyze Vinyl alcohol rearrangement
Vinyl alcohol (CH₂=CH-OH) can undergo tautomerization: \[ CH₂=CH-OH \rightarrow CH₃CHO \] which results in the formation of acetaldehyde.
06
- Conclude the correct answer
Based on the analyses, Vinyl alcohol is the compound that rearranges to form acetaldehyde.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rearrangement Reactions
Rearrangement reactions are chemical transformations in which the structure of a molecule changes by shifting its atoms. This creates a new structural arrangement and often results in the formation of a new compound. These reactions are crucial in organic chemistry as they allow for the formation of complex molecules from simpler ones. In the context of acetaldehyde formation, understanding rearrangement reactions helps explain how vinyl alcohol can transform into acetaldehyde through a specific rearrangement process called tautomerization. This is a type of isomerization where a hydrogen atom shifts within the molecule, leading to a structural change.
Structural Isomerism
Structural isomerism occurs when molecules with the same molecular formula have different structural arrangements. This means they have distinct connectivity of atoms, resulting in different chemical properties. For example, methyl alcohol (CH₃OH) and acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) are structural isomers; they share the same molecular formula (C₂H₄O) but differ in the arrangement of atoms.
Structural isomers often exhibit different physical and chemical characteristics, making them unique substances, despite having the same composition. Being able to identify and understand structural isomerism is essential when exploring possible transformations between compounds, like in the case of acetaldehyde and its isomers.
Structural isomers often exhibit different physical and chemical characteristics, making them unique substances, despite having the same composition. Being able to identify and understand structural isomerism is essential when exploring possible transformations between compounds, like in the case of acetaldehyde and its isomers.
Tautomerization
Tautomerization is a specific type of chemical reaction where a compound changes into another isomeric form by moving a hydrogen atom and forming a double bond. This process is common in organic chemistry and often involves keto-enol pairs, where a ketone and an alcohol are interconverted.
In the case of acetaldehyde, tautomerization is the key mechanism through which vinyl alcohol (CH₂=CH-OH) transforms into acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO). The hydrogen shifts from the oxygen to the adjacent carbon, resulting in the rearrangement of double and single bonds. This specific migration and reconfiguration of atoms lead to the formation of the new structure, highlighting the importance of tautomerization in organic synthesis.
In the case of acetaldehyde, tautomerization is the key mechanism through which vinyl alcohol (CH₂=CH-OH) transforms into acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO). The hydrogen shifts from the oxygen to the adjacent carbon, resulting in the rearrangement of double and single bonds. This specific migration and reconfiguration of atoms lead to the formation of the new structure, highlighting the importance of tautomerization in organic synthesis.
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds and their reactions. It encompasses a vast field involving the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and synthesis of organic molecules.
A fundamental aspect of organic chemistry is understanding how different compounds can interconvert through various reactions, such as rearrangement, isomerization, and tautomerization.
In acetaldehyde formation, vinyl alcohol undergoes a rearrangement reaction that is essential for forming this important organic compound. Mastery of organic chemistry concepts enables students to predict and explain such transformations, which are vital in both academic and industrial chemical processes.
A fundamental aspect of organic chemistry is understanding how different compounds can interconvert through various reactions, such as rearrangement, isomerization, and tautomerization.
In acetaldehyde formation, vinyl alcohol undergoes a rearrangement reaction that is essential for forming this important organic compound. Mastery of organic chemistry concepts enables students to predict and explain such transformations, which are vital in both academic and industrial chemical processes.