Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryChemistryAlcohols Phenols and Ethers
Identify the major products A and B in the following oxidation reactions:
Options
- ACH ₃ CH ₂- O - O - CH ₂ CH ₃ and respectively
- Band respectively
- CCH ₃ CH ₂- O - O - CH ₂ CH ₃ and respectively
- DNo reaction and respectively
Correct answer
B. and respectively
Step-by-step solution
Ethers undergo auto-oxidation in the presence of light and oxygen to form hydroperoxides. The reaction takes place at the -carbon atom because the intermediate free radical is stabilized by the adjacent oxygen atom. Thus, diethyl ether forms 1-ethoxyethyl hydroperoxide: CH₃CH₂-O-CH₂CH₃ + O₂ h CH₃CH(OOH)-O-CH₂CH₃ (Product A) Cumene (isopropylbenzene) undergoes oxidation with oxygen at elevated temperatures to form cumene hydroperoxide. The oxidation occurs at the benzylic position because the resulting tertiary benz