What molecule acts as a nucleophile during an acetal hydrolysis reaction?Select answer from the options belowwater (H2O)hydroxide (OH-)alcohol (ROH)alkoxide (RO-)
Question
What molecule acts as a nucleophile during an acetal hydrolysis reaction?Select answer from the options belowwater (H2O)hydroxide (OH-)alcohol (ROH)alkoxide (RO-)
Solution
In an acetal hydrolysis reaction, the molecule that acts as a nucleophile is water (H2O).
Here's a step-by-step explanation:
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Acetal hydrolysis is a reaction where an acetal is converted back into a carbonyl (aldehyde or ketone) and two alcohols. This reaction is typically catalyzed by an acid.
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In the first step of this reaction, the acid protonates one of the oxygen atoms in the acetal. This makes the acetal more electrophilic (electron-loving), and therefore more susceptible to attack by a nucleophile.
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The nucleophile in this reaction is water. A molecule of water attacks the electrophilic carbon atom in the protonated acetal, forming a tetrahedral intermediate.
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In the final steps of the reaction, the tetrahedral intermediate loses a molecule of alcohol and then gets deprotonated by another molecule of water, resulting in the formation of a carbonyl and two molecules of alcohol.
So, the correct answer is water (H2O).
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