Question
Question: How many isomers of formula C₄H₁₀O are possible which react with C₆H₅MgBr to yield benzene? (Don't c...
How many isomers of formula C₄H₁₀O are possible which react with C₆H₅MgBr to yield benzene? (Don't consider stereoisomers as different molecules)
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
7
Answer
4
Explanation
Solution
The formula C₄H₁₀O represents saturated alcohols and ethers. The possible isomers are: Alcohols:
- Butan-1-ol
- Butan-2-ol
- 2-Methylpropan-1-ol
- 2-Methylpropan-2-ol Ethers:
- Diethyl ether
- Methyl propyl ether
- Methyl isopropyl ether
Grignard reagents like C₆H₅MgBr react with compounds containing acidic protons. Alcohols have acidic protons in their hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The reaction is: R-OH + C₆H₅MgBr → R-OMgBr + C₆H₆ (benzene) Ethers do not have acidic protons and do not react with Grignard reagents under these conditions. Therefore, only the alcohol isomers of C₄H₁₀O will react with C₆H₅MgBr to yield benzene. There are 4 alcohol isomers.