Problem 705

Problem # 705

Carbonyls are in equilibrium with their hydrate forms. This equilibrium happens in both acid and base.

Let's go through this equilibrium under basic conditions. Draw a mechanism using curved arrows for each reaction below.

Remember that under basic conditions, most species are either neutral or negatively charged, and rarely positively charged. So your structures will contain either ROH or RO-, but not ROH2+.

 

a) Carbonyl to Hydrate

Notice that no oxygen is ever positive during these basic mechanisms (always negative or neutral).

b) Hydrate to Carbonyl