MolSynapsequestion bank
MolSynapse / Question bank / Organic Reaction Mechanisms I: Nucleophiles and Carbonyl Addition / Acetal, imine and enamine formation
JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o1241

The cyclic ketone shown is stirred with pyrrolidine and a catalytic amount of acid, with removal of water. Which structure is the isolable product?

  1. AStructure A
  2. BStructure B
  3. CStructure C
  4. DStructure D

Answer: C

Cyclopentanone and the secondary amine pyrrolidine form a carbinolamine, which loses water to give an iminium ion. This ion has no N-H to lose, so it loses an alpha proton to give the neutral enamine, 1-(cyclopent-1-enyl)pyrrolidine. The iminium and carbinolamine are intermediates, and the saturated amine would require a reducing agent.
Practice Organic Reaction Mechanisms I: Nucleophiles and Carbonyl Addition More on Acetal, imine and enamine formation

More questions on Acetal, imine and enamine formation