Question

Predict the products of reducing the following molecules. In each case, identify the product that will result from the minimal decrease in oxidation state for the highlighted carbon atom:

a) Ethanal (CH₃CHO)

b) Propanone (CH₃COCH₃)

c) Butanoic Acid (CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH)

d) Acetophenone (C₆H₅COCH₃)

Answer 1

Reducing ethanal, propanone, butanoic acid, and acetophenone minimally decreases the oxidation state of the highlighted carbon, leading to the formation of ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, and α-methylbenzyl alcohol, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

When reducing the following molecules, the highlighted carbon atom experiences a minimal decrease in oxidation state. Here are the expected products after the reduction reaction:

Ethanal (CH3CHO) would be reduced to ethanol (CH3CH2OH).

Propanone (CH3COCH3) would be reduced to isopropanol (CH3CHOHCH3).

Butanoic Acid (CH3CH2CH2COOH) would be reduced to butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH).

Acetophenone (C6H5COCH3) would be reduced to α-Methylbenzyl alcohol (C6H5CH(OH)CH3).

The process of reduction in organic chemistry typically involves the gain of hydrogen or the loss of oxygen, which in this case, transforms the functional groups such as carbonyls into alcohols.