A student, when solving the following 'predict-the-product' question, made a common mistake by writing the answer shown here. Explain why this reaction would not work as written.
Ch. 17 - Carbonyl Addition Reactions: Aldehydes and Ketones

Mullins1st EditionOrganic Chemistry: A Learner Centered ApproachISBN: 9780137566471Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooks
Mullins 1st Edition
Ch. 17 - Carbonyl Addition Reactions: Aldehydes and Ketones
Problem 20c
Mullins 1st Edition
Ch. 17 - Carbonyl Addition Reactions: Aldehydes and Ketones
Problem 20cChapter 16, Problem 20c
Suggest an acetylide ion and a carbonyl that might be used to make the following products.
(c) 5-phenylhex-2-yn-1-ol
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Recognize that the product, 5-phenylhex-2-yn-1-ol, contains a terminal alcohol (-OH group) and a triple bond (-C≡C-) in the structure. This suggests that the reaction involves the addition of an acetylide ion to a carbonyl compound.
Step 2: Identify the acetylide ion needed. The acetylide ion must contribute the triple bond and part of the carbon chain. In this case, the acetylide ion should be phenylethynide (C₆H₅-C≡C⁻), as it provides the phenyl group and the triple bond.
Step 3: Determine the carbonyl compound. The carbonyl compound must provide the remaining carbon chain and the terminal alcohol group after the reaction. For this product, the carbonyl compound should be propanal (CH₃-CH₂-CHO), as it contributes the three-carbon chain ending in an aldehyde group.
Step 4: Understand the reaction mechanism. The acetylide ion (C₆H₅-C≡C⁻) acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbon of the aldehyde group in propanal (CH₃-CH₂-CHO). This forms a new carbon-carbon bond.
Step 5: After the nucleophilic addition, the intermediate is protonated to yield the final product, 5-phenylhex-2-yn-1-ol. This protonation step typically occurs in the presence of water or a mild acid.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
5mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Acetylide Ion
An acetylide ion is a negatively charged species formed by deprotonating a terminal alkyne. It is a strong nucleophile, capable of attacking electrophilic carbon centers, such as those found in carbonyl compounds. In organic synthesis, acetylide ions are often used to form carbon-carbon bonds, making them essential for constructing complex molecules.
Recommended video:
Metal Ion Catalysis Concept 1
Carbonyl Compounds
Carbonyl compounds contain a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O). They include aldehydes and ketones, which are key intermediates in organic synthesis. The electrophilic nature of the carbonyl carbon allows it to react with nucleophiles, such as acetylide ions, facilitating the formation of alcohols and other functional groups in multi-step synthesis.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Defining meso compounds.
Alkyne to Alcohol Conversion
The conversion of alkynes to alcohols typically involves nucleophilic addition reactions. In this context, an acetylide ion can react with a carbonyl compound to form an intermediate, which can then be protonated to yield an alcohol. This transformation is crucial for synthesizing alcohols with specific structures, such as the target product 5-phenylhex-2-yn-1-ol.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Comparing and contrasting the Alcohol Conversions.
Related Practice
Textbook Question
10
views
Textbook Question
Suggest a carbonyl to react with NaCN/HCN to produce the following cyanohydrins.
(a)
1
views
Textbook Question
Suggest an acetylide ion and a carbonyl that might be used to make the following products.
(a) oct-4-yn-3-ol
2
views
Textbook Question
Suggest the appropriate carbonyl and Wittig reagent to make the following alkenes.
a. (E)-7-methylnon-4-en-3-one
1
views
Textbook Question
Suggest an acetylide ion and a carbonyl that might be used to make the following products.
(b) 2,6-dimethylhept-3-yn-2-ol
4
views
Textbook Question
For each of the following carbonyl addition reactions, would you expect a racemic mixture or a mixture enriched in one stereoisomer? In each case, draw both possible stereoisomeric products.
(a)
2
views