Which of These Is a Keto-Enol Tautomeric Pair?

Keto-enol tautomerism is a type of chemical equilibrium in which a keto (carbonyl) form of a molecule reversibly interconverts with an enol (hydroxyl) form. This process is often facilitated by the presence of a hydrogen bond between the carbonyl oxygen and the hydroxyl hydrogen.

Keto-enol tautomerism is a common phenomenon in organic chemistry, and it can have a significant impact on the properties of a molecule. For example, the keto form of a molecule is typically more stable than the enol form, but the enol form is often more reactive. As a result, keto-enol tautomerism can play a role in determining the reactivity of a molecule.

In this article, we will explore the concept of keto-enol tautomerism in more detail. We will discuss the different types of keto-enol tautomerism, the factors that influence the equilibrium between the keto and enol forms, and the role that keto-enol tautomerism plays in organic chemistry.

We will also provide some examples of keto-enol tautomerism in action, and we will discuss how keto-enol tautomerism can be used to synthesize new compounds.

Keto Form Enol Form Tautomeric Shift
Keto Form Enol Form Tautomeric Shift

Keto-enol tautomerism

Definition of keto-enol tautomerism

Keto-enol tautomerism is a type of chemical equilibrium in which a keto form of a molecule reversibly interconverts to an enol form. The keto form is a ketone or aldehyde, while the enol form is an alcohol with a hydrogen atom attached to the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group. The two forms are interconverted by a process called keto-enol tautomerization.

Mechanism of keto-enol tautomerism

The mechanism of keto-enol tautomerization involves the movement of a hydrogen atom from the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group to the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group. This movement of hydrogen atom is called a proton transfer. The proton transfer can be catalyzed by acids or bases.

Examples of keto-enol tautomerism

Some common examples of keto-enol tautomerism include:

  • Acetone (keto form) and enol form
  • Ethanol (keto form) and enol form
  • Methyl ethyl ketone (keto form) and enol form
  • Diethyl ketone (keto form) and enol form

Which of the following is a keto-enol tautomeric pair?

Discussion of the given compounds

The given compounds are:

  • Acetone
  • Ethanol
  • Methyl ethyl ketone
  • Diethyl ketone

Identification of the keto-enol tautomeric pair

The keto-enol tautomeric pair is:

  • Acetone and enol form

This is because acetone can be converted to its enol form by a process called keto-enol tautomerization. The enol form of acetone is more stable than the keto form, so it is the preferred form at equilibrium.

Keto-enol tautomerism is a type of chemical equilibrium in which a keto form of a molecule reversibly interconverts to an enol form. The keto form is a ketone or aldehyde, while the enol form is an alcohol with a hydrogen atom attached to the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group. The two forms are interconverted by a process called keto-enol tautomerization.

Some common examples of keto-enol tautomerism include:

  • Acetone (keto form) and enol form
  • Ethanol (keto form) and enol form
  • Methyl ethyl ketone (keto form) and enol form
  • Diethyl ketone (keto form) and enol form

The keto-enol tautomeric pair is:

  • Acetone and enol form

3. Applications of keto-enol tautomerism

Keto-enol tautomerism has a wide range of applications in biochemistry and organic synthesis.

  • Role in biochemical reactions

Keto-enol tautomerism is involved in a number of important biochemical reactions, including:

  • The citric acid cycle, a series of reactions that are responsible for the oxidation of carbohydrates in the body.
  • The Calvin cycle, a series of reactions that are responsible for the fixation of carbon dioxide in plants.
  • The Krebs cycle, a series of reactions that are responsible for the production of energy in the body.
  • Use in organic synthesis

Keto-enol tautomerism is also used in a number of organic synthesis reactions, including:

  • The aldol condensation, a reaction that is used to form carbon-carbon bonds.
  • The Claisen condensation, a reaction that is used to form esters.
  • The Diels-Alder reaction, a reaction that is used to form cyclohexadienes.

4. Summary of key points

The key points to remember about keto-enol tautomerism are:

  • Keto-enol tautomerism is the interconversion of a ketone and an enol.
  • Keto-enol tautomerism is a type of isomerism.
  • Keto-enol tautomerism is important in biochemistry and organic synthesis.

Importance of keto-enol tautomerism

Keto-enol tautomerism is an important phenomenon that has a wide range of applications in biochemistry and organic synthesis. It is a key step in many important biochemical reactions, and it is also used in a number of organic synthesis reactions. As a result, keto-enol tautomerism is a fundamental concept that is essential for understanding both biochemistry and organic chemistry.

Which of the following is a keto-enol tautomeric pair?

1. Ethanol and acetaldehyde
2. Acetone and propanal
3. Acetophenone and 2-phenylethanol
4. Benzophenone and 2-phenylethanol

The correct answer is Acetophenone and 2-phenylethanol.

A keto-enol tautomeric pair is a pair of organic compounds that differ only in the position of a hydrogen atom and a double bond. The keto form has a ketone group, while the enol form has an enol group. The two forms are in equilibrium with each other, and the equilibrium can be shifted by changes in temperature, pH, or the presence of a catalyst.

In the case of acetophenone and 2-phenylethanol, the keto form is more stable at room temperature. However, at high temperatures, the enol form becomes more stable. This is because the enol form is more resonance stabilized than the keto form.

The other three pairs of compounds are not keto-enol tautomeric pairs. Ethanol and acetaldehyde are both aldehydes, and acetone and propanal are both ketones. Benzophenone and 2-phenylethanol are both aromatic compounds, and they do not have a keto-enol tautomerism.

keto-enol tautomerism is a common phenomenon in organic chemistry. It is a reversible reaction that involves the interconversion of a keto form and an enol form of a compound. The keto form is more stable, but the enol form is more reactive. Tautomerism can be used to explain a variety of chemical phenomena, such as the acidity of carboxylic acids and the basicity of amines. It can also be used to synthesize new compounds.

Here are some key takeaways from this discussion:

  • Keto-enol tautomerism is a reversible reaction that involves the interconversion of a keto form and an enol form of a compound.
  • The keto form is more stable, but the enol form is more reactive.
  • Tautomerism can be used to explain a variety of chemical phenomena, such as the acidity of carboxylic acids and the basicity of amines.
  • It can also be used to synthesize new compounds.

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Jennifer Lucks
Jennifer Lucks
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