Chapter 17, Problem 17.24P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: A mechanism has to be proposed for the given rearrangement reaction.

Concept introduction:

Benzil-benzilic acid rearrangement reaction:

Benzil-benzilic acid rearrangement reaction is a base catalysed reaction in which,

1,2-diketones are allowed to react with base followed by the acidification to form $\alpha -hydroxycarboxylicacid$ .

Mechanism of the reaction is the step-by-step description of the process by which reactants are changed into products.

Curved arrows show the bonds that are formed and the bonds that are broken in a reaction.

Curved arrows used to understand a reaction mechanism.

Electrophile: It is positively charged species which seeks for negative charge and hence accepts pair of electrons from negatively charged species (Nucleophiles) which results in the formation of chemical bond.

Nucleophile: It is negatively charged species which seeks for positive charge and hence donate pair of electrons to positively charged species (electrophiles) which results in the formation of chemical bond.