Question

When dichloromethane is treated with strong NaOH , an intermediate is generated that reacts like a carbene. Draw the structure of this reactive intermediate, and propose a mechanism for its formation.

Short answer

mechanism of the reaction

structure of the reactive intermediate (carbene)

Step-by-step solution

Carbenes

Carbenes may be defined as a neutral divalent chemical species containing a carbon atom consisting six electrons in their valence shell. Out of six electrons, two electrons are unshared. The simplest carbene is methylene CH₂ .

Mechanism for the formation of reactive intermediate

Dichloromethane when treated with strong sodium hydroxide solution yields an intermediate that reacts more like a carbene.

Deprotonation of dichloromethane with sodium hydroxide takes place in the first step. The second step is the chlorine anion leaving the molecule to give the intermediate.

mechanism of the reaction

structure of the reactive intermediate (carbene)