GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Ketone Chemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Functional Group Reactions

What is the product of the reaction between 2-butanone and lithium aluminum hydride?

Possible Answers:

3-butanone

None of these

3-butanol

2-butanol

Butane

Correct answer:

2-butanol

Explanation:

Lithium aluminum hydride is a reducing agent. It reduces ketones and carboxylic acids to alcohols. 2-butanone is a 4-carbon chain with a double bond between an oxygen and carbon 2. The reduction turns the double bond with oxygen into a single bond to a hydroxy group. This makes the product 2-butanol.

Example Question #1 : Ketone Chemistry

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Which of the following would be a major product of the given reaction?

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.54.43 pm

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.54.50 pm

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Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.56.49 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.56.49 pm

Explanation:

The reaction of a primary amine with a ketone or aldehyde produces an imine by nucleophilic addition. Below is the mechanism for the reaction given:

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 6.29.18 pm

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