Question

When 2-pentyne is treated with dilute $H_{2}S{O}_4$ and $HgS{O}_4$ the product formed is :

• A. 1-pentanol
• B. 2-pentanol
• C. 2-pentanone
• D. 3-pentanone

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

2-pentanone

$C{H}_3-C\equiv C-C_2{H}_5+H_{2}O\underset{HgS{O}_4}{\overset{H_{2}S{O}_4\left(dil\right)}{\to }}$

$H_{3}C-\underset{OH}{\underset{|}{C}}=CH-C_2{H}_5\rightleftharpoons \underset{2-pentanone}{H_{3}C-\stackrel{O}{\stackrel{||}{C}}-C{H}_2-C_2{H}_5}$

This is a oxidation process of alkyne also known as oxymercuration reaction.

Option C is correct.