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:

Butane

2-butanol

None of these

3-butanone

3-butanol

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 #182 : Gre Subject Test: Chemistry

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.50.20 pm

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

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.54.56 pm

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.54.50 pm

Screen shot 2015 11 25 at 5.54.43 pm

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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