What compound is produced when 2-methyl-3-pentanol is oxidized?
A. 2-methyl-3-pentanone
B. 2-methyl-3-pentanal
C. 2-methyl-3-pentene
D. 2-methylpentone
E. It does not undergo oxidation.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. 2-methyl-3-pentanal.
Explanation:
When 2-methyl-3-pentanol undergoes oxidation, the hydroxyl group (-OH) on the alcohol functional group gets oxidized, typically in the presence of an oxidizing agent. To determine the specific product, it’s important to understand the structure and reactivity of the molecule.
2-methyl-3-pentanol is a secondary alcohol. Secondary alcohols typically oxidize to ketones under mild oxidation conditions, while under stronger conditions, they may further oxidize to aldehydes or acids. In this case, when 2-methyl-3-pentanol is oxidized with mild conditions, the product would be a ketone. However, in the context of typical oxidation of alcohols, the oxidation can occur to an aldehyde when specific reagents are used. Given the structure of 2-methyl-3-pentanol, which has a hydroxyl group on the second carbon, its oxidation leads to the formation of an aldehyde (because secondary alcohols primarily convert into aldehydes when oxidized under the right conditions).
The oxidation reaction for 2-methyl-3-pentanol would look like this:
2-methyl-3-pentanol → 2-methyl-3-pentanal
- The alcohol (-OH) at the second position (on a secondary carbon) is oxidized to a carbonyl group (C=O), converting the molecule into an aldehyde (2-methyl-3-pentanal).
Why other options are incorrect:
- A. 2-methyl-3-pentanone: This would be the product if a secondary alcohol were oxidized into a ketone, but 2-methyl-3-pentanol undergoes oxidation to form an aldehyde, not a ketone.
- C. 2-methyl-3-pentene: This would be the result of a dehydration reaction, not oxidation. Dehydration involves the removal of a water molecule, which does not happen in the oxidation process of alcohols.
- D. 2-methylpentone: This is not a valid chemical compound name.
- E. It does not undergo oxidation: This is incorrect because alcohols like 2-methyl-3-pentanol do undergo oxidation.
Thus, the correct product from the oxidation of 2-methyl-3-pentanol is 2-methyl-3-pentanal (option B).