Question

Question. Draw a stepwise mechanism for the following reaction, the last step in a five-step industrial synthesis of vitamin C that begins with the simple carbohydrate glucose.

Short answer

Answer

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step-by-step solution

Step by Step solutionStep 1: Hydrolysis of acetal groups

The acetal groups will be hydrolyzed in presence of acid and can form the respective carbonyl compounds.

In this reaction, it forms two moles of acetone and a furan substituent.

Formation of vitamin C

During this reaction, the furan substituent that is formed will be converted into Vitamin C in presence of acid.

Mechanism of the reaction

Step 1:

Step 2: