Question

Complete the following reaction :
HC $\equiv$ CH $\stackrel{H{g}^{2+}}{\underset{H_{2}S{O}_4}{\to }}\left(A\right)\stackrel{O}{\to }\left(B\right)$.

Answer 1

$\underset{\text{Acetylene}}{HC\equiv C-H}\stackrel{H{g}^{2+}}{\underset{H_{2}S{O}_4}{\to }}\underset{\text{Acetaldehdye (A)}}{C{H}_3-\underset{\underset{\text{O}}{||}}{C}-H}\underset{\text{oxidation}}{\overset{\left[O\right]}{\to }}\underset{\text{Acetic acid (B)}}{C{H}_3-\underset{\underset{\text{O}}{||}}{C}-OH}$.

Hydration of acetylene (followed by keto enol tautomerism) gives acetaldehdye. This is followed by oxidation to form acetic acid.