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Topic: enol stability in asymmetric ketone  (Read 2028 times)

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Offline insertwittyname

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enol stability in asymmetric ketone
« on: August 21, 2014, 02:38:36 PM »
If in a ketone, two different enol forms are possible, eg: O=C(C)CC can give both O/C(=C)CC and CC=C(C)O, which is major product in acidic medium?
I think the elimination of H should follow saytzeff rule, IE CC=C(C)O should be in the majority, as abstraction of that H by acid ought to be easier. Would I be correct?

Offline orgopete

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Re: enol stability in asymmetric ketone
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2014, 03:14:03 PM »
That would be my guess as well. Under basic conditions, you could form kinetic product determined by greater acidity of methyl group. Under acid conditions, I would assume electron donation would prevail to give the more substituted enol as an E/Z mixture.
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Offline zsinger

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Re: enol stability in asymmetric ketone
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2014, 07:08:42 PM »
Sterically hindered bases might give the kinetic product instead of the thermodynamic product, so watch that!
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Offline orthoformate

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Re: enol stability in asymmetric ketone
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2014, 10:27:24 PM »
it would depend when you measured the concentrations in aq. acid correct?

Offline Vidya

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Re: enol stability in asymmetric ketone
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2014, 05:59:00 AM »
It will depend on the stability of the enolate ion formed during the mechanism.Electron donating groups will destabilize it and electron withdrawing groups will stabilize it.

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