What is the most stable structure amongst the keto-enol tautomers of pentane-2,4-dione?
The compound in option (c) is highly stable because it forms a 6 membered ring by tautomerism and that ring is highly stable because all bonds in that ring have developed partial double character. Whereas in option (d) there is ring formation but only two bonds of that ring have partial double character. This makes (c) more stable than (d).
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MeAndMyLucidLife
Updated on August 01, 2022Comments
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MeAndMyLucidLife over 1 year
I was assigned the following question and I cannot decide which is the correct answer.
Which is the most stable structure?
(a) pentane-2,4-dione
(b) 4-hydroxypent-4-en-2-one
(c) (Z)-4-hydroxypent-3-en-2-one
(d) (Z)-penta-1,3-diene-2,4-diolI am confused between options (c) and (d). Both seem to be stable due to resonance, but I think (d) should have more resonance as the oxygen's lone pair in the $\ce{-OH}$ bond will also participate in resonance making it more stable.
But the answer is given as (c).
Could you please explain why (c) is more stable than (d).
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Martin - マーチン about 5 yearsThe correct answer is (a). Andy other structure is much less stable, even though you can measure the existence of (c) to a significant degree. Your book's solution is wrong.
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Martin - マーチン about 5 yearsMy previous comment is somewhat wrong. The equilibrium is very solvent dependent. In water it is (a), in less polar solvents the answer is (c). There is a small article on Wikipedia about it, and some references within, which are quite interesting. I think this question deserves reopening and a more elaborate answer.
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