Why does hydrogen cyanide add to propanone but not to propene?
Correct answer: B. Propanone is more susceptible to nucleophilic attack than propene
- A. The addition product formed with propene would not be stable
- B. Propanone is more susceptible to nucleophilic attack than propene
- C. Propanone is more susceptible to electrophilic attack than propene
- D. Propanone is more susceptible to free radical attack than propene
Explanation
Option B is correct.Propanone is more susceptible to nucleophilic attack than propene. The carbonyl carbon of propanone is an electrophilic center, which can be attacked by nucleophiles like HCN to form a cyanohydrin. In contrast, propene lacks this carbonyl group, so HCN does not add to it through a nucleophilic attack.
Last updated
About Aldehydes and Ketones
Aldehydes and ketones contain the polar carbonyl group, but aldehydes are generally more readily oxidised and more reactive than ketones. Coverage includes preparation by oxidation or reduction routes, nucleophilic addition of reagents such as hydrogen cyanide and bisulfite, and tests that distinguish aldehydes from ketones.
Practise Aldehydes and Ketones
679 free Aldehydes and Ketones MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this
Chemistry is on 12 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.