Question

Follow the curved arrows and draw the products of the following reaction.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Step-by-Step SolutionStep 1: Movement of electrons

Electrons move from electron-rich centres to electron-deficient centres. Species-rich in electrons are represented using a negative sign and the species deficient in electrons are represented using a positive sign.

Arrows used to indicate electron transfer

A full-headed curved arrow is used to indicate the transfer of an electron pair from one atom to another.

A fishhook (half-headed curved arrow) indicates the transfer of a single electron.

Product of the chemical reaction

In the given reaction, the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom attacks the carbonyl carbon causing the pi bonded electrons to drift to the electron-deficient oxygen atom (oxygen atom having the positive charge) attached to it.

The complete reaction

Since the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom are involved in the bond formation with the carbonyl carbon, the oxygen atom attains a positive charge.