Consider the reaction
CH₂=CH-CH₃ + H₂O → X
X + CH₃COOH → Y
The structure of Y would be
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2003 - Paper 1
Question 8
Consider the reaction
CH₂=CH-CH₃ + H₂O → X
X + CH₃COOH → Y
The structure of Y would be
A. CH₃CH₂CH₂COOCH₃
B. CH₃COOCH₃CH₁, CH₃
C. CH₃CH₂CH₃COOH
D. CH₃OOC(CH₂)₂CH₃
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Consider the reaction
CH₂=CH-CH₃ + H₂O → X
X + CH₃COOH → Y
The structure of Y would be
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2003 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify Reactants and Products from the Reaction
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Answer
The first step is to identify the starting materials involved in the reaction: This is an addition reaction where an alkene (CH₂=CH-CH₃) reacts with water (H₂O) to form an alcohol. After this initial reaction, the alcohol formed will further react with acetic acid (CH₃COOH) to generate a product Y.
Step 2
Determine the Structure of Intermediate X
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Answer
Upon hydration, the alkene CH₂=CH-CH₃ will form the alcohol, isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol or CH₃CHOHCH₃). This compound, X, is therefore CH₃CHOHCH₃.
Step 3
React X with Acetic Acid
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Answer
Next, we react the alcohol (X) with acetic acid (CH₃COOH). The reaction involves the OH group from the alcohol forming an ester link with the COOH group from the acetic acid. Thus the final product Y will be isopropyl acetate.
Step 4
Identify the Structure of Y
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Answer
The structure of Y, isopropyl acetate, corresponds to the molecular formula CH₃COOCH(CH₃)₂, which can be simplified to CH₃COOCH₁, CH₃, matching option B.
