What is the most stable structure amongst the keto-enol tautomers of pentane-2,4-dione?

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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).

enter image description here tautomers of pentan-2,4-dione

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MeAndMyLucidLife
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Updated on August 01, 2022

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  • MeAndMyLucidLife
    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?

    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-diol

    I 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).

    • Martin - マーチン
      Martin - マーチン about 5 years
      The 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.
    • Martin - マーチン
      Martin - マーチン about 5 years
      My 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.