Question

Question: Draw a stepwise mechanism for the following reaction.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Reaction mechanism

The reaction mechanism gives an account of the various steps taking place in a particular reaction. The electron shift is denoted by arrows in a reaction mechanism.

Reaction with NaH

Sodium hydride (NaH) is utilized as a base in several organic reactions. Several condensation reactions like Stobbe condensation and Claisen condensation make use of NaH as a reagent.

Stepwise mechanism of the given reaction

Formation of the first compound involves two steps. In the first step, carbanion intermediate is formed. Abstraction of proton happens in the second step leading to the product formation.

The formed carbanion gets subjected to delocalization at different carbon atoms to give rise to the second and the third compound.

Stepwise mechanism of the reaction