Question

In this reaction sequence

• A. and $CH_3CHO$
• B. $CH_3COOCH_3$ and $CH_3COOH$
• C. -OH and OH
• D. $CH_3-CH=CH_2$ sssand $CH_2=CH_2$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The product will be acetone and acetaldehyde.

Answer 2

The structure is a cyclic peroxide (a 1,2,4,5‐tetraoxacyclopentane derivative) having a carbon (with two CH₃ groups) bonded to four oxygen atoms, one of which bears a hydrogen. When treated with LiAlH₄, the peroxide bonds are reductively cleaved. Such reductive cleavage of cyclic peroxides leads to fragmentation into carbonyl compounds. In this case, the two CH₃ groups on the carbon give rise to acetone (a ketone with two CH₃ groups attached to C=O) and the other fragment corresponds to acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO). Thus, the product pair is acetone and acetaldehyde.