Textbook Question
What ketones or aldehydes might be reduced to yield the following alcohols?
a.
b.
c. HOCH2–CH2–CH2OH
Ch.15 Aldehydes and Ketones
McMurry8th EditionFundamentals of GOBISBN: 9780134015187
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch.1 Matter and Measurements27
- Ch.2 Atoms and the Periodic Table20
- Ch.3 Ionic Compounds8
- Ch.4 Molecular Compounds23
- Ch.5 Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions12
- Ch.6 Chemical Reactions: Mole and Mass Relationships28
- Ch.7 Chemical Reactions: Energy, Rate and Equilibrium64
- Ch.8 Gases, Liquids and Solids24
- Ch.9 Solutions52
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases25
- Ch.11 Nuclear Chemistry22
- Ch.12 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Alkanes57
- Ch.13 Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds47
- Ch.14 Some Compounds with Oxygen, Sulfur, or a Halogen50
- Ch.15 Aldehydes and Ketones45
- Ch.16 Amines42
- Ch.17 Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives57
- Ch.18 Amino Acids and Proteins82
- Ch.19 Enzymes and Vitamins63
- Ch.20 Carbohydrates44
- Ch.21 The Generation of Biochemical Energy65
- Ch.22 Carbohydrate Metabolism45
- Ch.23 Lipids42
- Ch.24 Lipid Metabolism33
- Ch.25 Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism24
- Ch.26 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis45
Chapter 15, Problem 15b
Draw the structures of the hemiacetals or hemiketals formed in these reactions:
b. 
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the functional groups in the reactants. A hemiacetal is formed when an aldehyde reacts with an alcohol, while a hemiketal is formed when a ketone reacts with an alcohol.
Locate the carbonyl group (C=O) in the aldehyde or ketone reactant. This is the site where the reaction will occur.
Determine the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol's hydroxyl group (-OH) on the carbonyl carbon. This forms a new bond between the carbonyl carbon and the oxygen of the alcohol.
Add a hydrogen atom from the alcohol to the oxygen of the carbonyl group, converting it into a hydroxyl group (-OH). This step completes the formation of the hemiacetal or hemiketal structure.
Draw the final structure, ensuring that the carbonyl carbon now has one hydroxyl group (-OH) and one ether group (-OR) attached, which are characteristic of hemiacetals and hemiketals.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hemiacetals and Hemiketals
Hemiacetals and hemiketals are organic compounds formed when an alcohol reacts with an aldehyde or ketone, respectively. A hemiacetal consists of a carbon atom bonded to an -OH group, an -OR group (from the alcohol), a hydrogen atom, and an alkyl or aryl group. Hemiketals have a similar structure but involve ketones instead of aldehydes. Understanding their formation is crucial for analyzing reactions involving carbonyl compounds.
Recommended video:
Guided course
2:10
Cyclic Hemiacetals Concept 1
Reaction Mechanism
The reaction mechanism describes the step-by-step process by which reactants are converted into products. In the case of hemiacetal and hemiketal formation, the mechanism typically involves nucleophilic attack by the alcohol on the carbonyl carbon, followed by proton transfer and the formation of the new C-O bond. Familiarity with these mechanisms helps in predicting the products of organic reactions and understanding their stereochemistry.
Recommended video:
Guided course
1:30Alcohol Reactions: Dehydration Reactions Concept 1
Equilibrium in Organic Reactions
Many organic reactions, including the formation of hemiacetals and hemiketals, are reversible and can reach an equilibrium state. This means that the reactants and products can interconvert, and the position of equilibrium can be influenced by factors such as concentration, temperature, and the presence of catalysts. Recognizing the dynamic nature of these reactions is essential for predicting the predominant species in a given reaction environment.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:42Chemical Equilibrium Concept 1
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Determine whether the following compounds are acetals or ketals. Draw the structure of the aldehyde or ketone it came from.
c.
Textbook Question
For each compound shown next, determine whether it is a hemiacetal, a hemiketal, an acetal, or a ketal.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Textbook Question
The carbonyl group can be reduced by addition of a hydride ion (H–) and (H+) a proton. Removal of H– and H+ from an alcohol results in a carbonyl group.
a. To which atom of the carbonyl is the hydride ion added and why?
Textbook Question
The carbonyl group can be reduced by addition of a hydride ion (H–) and (H+) a proton. Removal of H– and H+ from an alcohol results in a carbonyl group.
b. In the reaction, indicate which direction represents reduction and which represents oxidation.