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maverick280857
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Hello
My question is regarding the oxidative function of selenium dioxide (when reacted with carbonyl compounds).
Selenium Dioxide converts an active methylene group to a carbonyl group -C=O, so the reaction of butan-2-one with selenium dioxide should form two products (corresponding to two active methylene groups):
2MeCOEt + SeO2 -> MeCOCOMe + HCOCOEt + Se
I know that MeCOCOMe is the Major Product whereas HCOCOEt is the minor product but I want to know why this is so. Perhaps a mechanistic explanation may help. I have been unable to locate the exact mechanistic steps of this reaction. I only know that SeO2 delivers nascent oxygen.
Help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and cheers
Vivek
My question is regarding the oxidative function of selenium dioxide (when reacted with carbonyl compounds).
Selenium Dioxide converts an active methylene group to a carbonyl group -C=O, so the reaction of butan-2-one with selenium dioxide should form two products (corresponding to two active methylene groups):
2MeCOEt + SeO2 -> MeCOCOMe + HCOCOEt + Se
I know that MeCOCOMe is the Major Product whereas HCOCOEt is the minor product but I want to know why this is so. Perhaps a mechanistic explanation may help. I have been unable to locate the exact mechanistic steps of this reaction. I only know that SeO2 delivers nascent oxygen.
Help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and cheers
Vivek
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