Suggest a possible mechanism for the acid catalyzed reaction of a typical ketohexose to give 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.
1 answer:
Answer:
See explanation
Explanation:
Taking the acid catalysed hydrolysis of fructose C6H12O6, the mechanism begins with the protonation of an -OH group as shown.
This is now followed by dehydration and formation of a keto-enol tautomer. The keto form is now dehydrated followed by the protonation of a second -OH group.
A second dehydration followed by deprotonation leads to the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.
Image credit: SciElo
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