What is the product of the catalytic hydration of ethyne (acetylene) in dilute sulfuric acid with mercury(II) sulfate at 60 degrees Celsius?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Ethanal
Hydration of ethyne (Kucherov reaction) initially yields vinyl alcohol (CH2=CH-OH), an unstable enol that rapidly tautomerizes to ethanal (acetaldehyde, CH3-CH=O). All other alkynes give ketones.
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