Consider the following overall reaction and proposed mechanism. Evaluate whether each step of the mechanism is reasonable. For each step that is not reasonable, explain why.

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Consider the following overall reaction and proposed mechanism. Evaluate whether each step of the mechanism is reasonable. For each step that is not reasonable, explain why. 

**Problem:** Consider the following overall reaction and proposed mechanism. Evaluate whether each step of the mechanism is reasonable. For each step that is not reasonable, explain why.

**Overall Reaction:**
- A carbonyl group (C=O) on a molecule reacts with methanol (CH₃OH) in the presence of an acid catalyst (H⁺) to form an acetal.

**Proposed Mechanism:**

1. **First Intermediate Formation:**
   - The carbonyl oxygen is protonated by the acid catalyst (H⁺), forming a positively charged oxygen intermediate. This is shown by the movement of a pair of electrons from the oxygen to the hydrogen ion.
   - The methanol (CH₃OH) attacks the carbonyl carbon, resulting in the breakage of the double bond (C=O) and the formation of a bond between the carbon and oxygen of methanol.
   - Intermediate structure shows the oxygen from methanol with a positive charge, and the carbon bonded to both original oxygen and methanol.

2. **Second Intermediate Formation:**
   - The intermediate undergoes further rearrangement. A lone pair from the oxygen atom of methanol helps to push a proton onto the hydroxyl group (OH), converting it into a good leaving group, water (H₂O).
   - The carbon now forms a double bond with the other oxygen, which is then deprotonated to stabilize and form the acetal product structure.

**Key Considerations:**
- Evaluate each step for the feasibility of electron movement and the stability of intermediates.
- Check if the methanol's oxygen can reasonably share or accept protons.
- Consider the likelihood of forming a stable cation and facilitating nucleophilic attack or leaving group formation.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem:** Consider the following overall reaction and proposed mechanism. Evaluate whether each step of the mechanism is reasonable. For each step that is not reasonable, explain why. **Overall Reaction:** - A carbonyl group (C=O) on a molecule reacts with methanol (CH₃OH) in the presence of an acid catalyst (H⁺) to form an acetal. **Proposed Mechanism:** 1. **First Intermediate Formation:** - The carbonyl oxygen is protonated by the acid catalyst (H⁺), forming a positively charged oxygen intermediate. This is shown by the movement of a pair of electrons from the oxygen to the hydrogen ion. - The methanol (CH₃OH) attacks the carbonyl carbon, resulting in the breakage of the double bond (C=O) and the formation of a bond between the carbon and oxygen of methanol. - Intermediate structure shows the oxygen from methanol with a positive charge, and the carbon bonded to both original oxygen and methanol. 2. **Second Intermediate Formation:** - The intermediate undergoes further rearrangement. A lone pair from the oxygen atom of methanol helps to push a proton onto the hydroxyl group (OH), converting it into a good leaving group, water (H₂O). - The carbon now forms a double bond with the other oxygen, which is then deprotonated to stabilize and form the acetal product structure. **Key Considerations:** - Evaluate each step for the feasibility of electron movement and the stability of intermediates. - Check if the methanol's oxygen can reasonably share or accept protons. - Consider the likelihood of forming a stable cation and facilitating nucleophilic attack or leaving group formation.
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