How does #"propionaldehyde"# differ from #"acetone"#?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 24, 2016

They differ in the position of the carbonyl group......

Explanation:

#"Propanone"#, more commonly referred to as #"acetone"#, has a structural formula #"H"_3"CC(=O)CH"_3#. Isomeric #"propanal"# has the same #"C"_3"H"_6"O"# molecular formula but a structure of #"H"_3"CCH"_2"C(=O)H"#.

Because the aldehyde group (i.e. the terminal carbonyl) is more sterically exposed, propanal should be more reactive than acetone, and indeed it is. Should propanal and acetone have different physical properties? If you are in doubt, then look up the physical properties of each isomer.

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