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JEE Main 2024 · Chemistry · General Organic Chemistry and Isomerism · medium

Exists to the greatest extent in its enol form at equilibrium?

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Which of the following exists to the greatest extent in its enol form at equilibrium?
  1. A. Pentane-2,4-dione
  2. B. Propanone
  3. C. Ethyl 3-oxobutanoate
  4. D. Ethanal
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Answer: (A) Pentane-2,4-dione

Enol content depends on stabilisation of the enol. In pentane-2,4-dione the enol is stabilised by a conjugated C=C−C=O\mathrm{C{=}C{-}C{=}O} system and a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond forming a six-membered chelate ring; a second ketone group is also more electron-withdrawing than an ester, so its enol content (≈80%\approx 80\%) exceeds that of ethyl acetoacetate (≈8%\approx 8\%). Simple carbonyl compounds such as propanone (≈10−6%\approx 10^{-6}\%) and ethanal have negligible enol content.
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