Cyanohydrins can be made from carbonyl compounds by generating CN- ions from HCN in the presence of a weak base.
In a similar reaction, -CH2CO2CH3 ions are generated from CH3CO2CH3 by strong bases.
Which compound can be made from an Aldehyde and CH3CO2CH3?
Option 1 : CH3CO2CH2CH(OH)CH3
Option 2 : CH3CH2CH(OH)CH2CO2CH3
The correct answer is Option 2. I understand why. But I do not understand why Option 1 is incorrect. Please help/advise me.
1 answer
Option 1 is incorrect because it does not contain the -CH2CO2CH3 ion that is generated from CH3CO2CH3 by strong bases. The -CH2CO2CH3 ion is necessary for the reaction to occur, so Option 1 is not a valid product of the reaction.
1 answer