Chapter 12

12.1 Write as many molecular formulas as you can for compounds that have the following molecular
ions in their mass spectra. Assume that all the compounds contain C and H and that O may or
may not be present.
(a) M+=86
Solution: C6H14 C5H10O C4H8O2 C3H4O3
+
(b) M =128
Solution: C10H8 C9H20 C9H4O C8H16O C7H12O2 C6H8O3 C5H4O4
(c) M+=156
Solution: C12H12 C11H24 C11H8O C10H20O C10H4O2 C9H16O2 C8H12O3 C7H8O4 C6H4O5

12.2 The male sex hormone testosterone contains C, H, and O and has a mass of 288.2089 amu as
determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry. What is the molecular formula of testosterone?
Solution: C19H28O2

12.3 Two mass spectra are shown. One corresponds to 2-methyl-2-pentene; the other, to 2-hexene.
Which is which? Explain.
Solution:

H2C CH3
Sample B shows a base peak at m/z=55, corresponds to the loss of a –CH2CH3 (29 mass units)
from the molecular ion. But sample A has only a small peak at m/z=55.

While it’s hard for 2-methyl-2-pentene to loss a –CH2CH3 unit.

CH3
Conversely, sample A shows a big peak at m/z=69, corresponds to the loss of a –CH3 (15 mass
units) from the molecular ion. But sample B has only a small peak at m/z=69.
Base peak (m/z=41) will be the allylic cation. Molecular ion losses 43 mass units step by step,
not in a single way (no propyl group could be lost in a single step).

12.4 What are the masses of the charged fragments produced in the following cleavage pathways?
(a) Alpha cleavage of 2-pentanone.
Solution:
 O
Loss of –CH3 (15 mass units) : 71

O
Loss of –CH2CH2CH3 (43 mass units)

(b) Dehydration of cyclohexanol

Solution :
Loss of H2O:100-18=82

OH
Dehydration
+ H2O

(c) McLafferty rearrangement of 4-methyl-2-pentanone.

Solution:
H
O CH2 OH
H3C
+ HC CH2
C CH
H3C C CH3 H3C
CH2
H2

Loss of
H3C

HC CH2 100-42=58

(d) Alpha cleavage of triethylamine.

N
N
+
CH3

Loss of –CH3 (15 mass units): 101-15=86

12.5 List the masses of the parent ion and of several fragments you might expect to find in the mass
spectrum of the following molecule (red=O):
Solution:

OH

OH

C6H14O+ C5 H12 O+
Exact Mass: 102.10 Exact Mass: 88.09
Mol. Wt.: 102.17 Mol. Wt.: 88.15
m/e: 102.10 (100.0%), 103.11 (6.9%) m/e: 88.09 (100.0%), 89.09 (5.8%)
C, 70.53; H, 13.81; O, 15.66 C, 68.13; H, 13.72; O, 18.15

OH

C6H12
Exact Mass: 84.09 C3H8O+
Mol. Wt.: 84.16 Exact Mass: 60.06
m/e: 84.09 (100.0%), 85.10 Mol. Wt.: 60.09
(6.9%) m/e: 60.06 (100.0%), 61.06 (3.5%)
C, 85.63; H, 14.37
C, 59.96; H, 13.42; O, 26.62

12.6 Which has higher energy, infrared radiation with λ=1.0×10-6m or an X ray with λ=3.0×10-9m?
Solution: It will be obvious that the X ray has higher energy .

12.7 Which has the higher energy, radiation with ν= 4.0×109 Hz or radiation with λ= 9.0×10-6 m ?
Solution:
E1= hv = 6.626×10-34×4.0×109 J= 2.65×10-24 J
E2= hc/λ= 6.626×10-34×3.0×108÷9.0×10-6 J= 2.21×10-20 J
Definitely the radiation with λ= 9.0×10-6 m has a more higher energy.

12.8 It is useful to develop a feeling for the amounts of energy that is corresponding to different parts
of the electromagnetic spectrum. Calculate the energies of each of the following kinds of radiation
 using the relationships
E=1.20×10-4kJ/mol / λ(m) and v=c/λ
-11
(a) A gamma ray withλ= 5.0×10 m
-9
(b)An X ray withλ=3.0×10 m
(c)Ultraviolet light withν= 6.0×1015 Hz
(d)Visible light withν= 7.0×1014 Hz
(e)Infrared radiation with λ= 2.0×10-5m
(f)Microwave radiation withν= 1.0×1011 Hz
Solution
(a) E2=NA hc/λ= 6.022×1023×6.626×10-34×3.0×108÷5.0×10-11kJ/mol= 2.4×106 kJ/mol
(b)E2= NA hc/λ= 6.022×1023×6.626×10-34×3.0×108÷3.0×10-9 kJ/mol=4.0×104 kJ/mol
(c) E1= NA hv =6.022×1023× 6.626×10-34×6.0×1015 kJ/mol= 2.4×103kJ/mol
(d) E1= NA hv =6.022×1023× 6.626×10-34×7.0×1014 kJ/mol= 2.8×102 kJ/mol
(e) E2= NA hc/λ=6.022×1023×6.626×10-34×3.0×108÷2.0×10-5 kJ/mol= 6.0 kJ/mol
(f) E1= NA hv =6.022×1023× 6.626×10-34×1.0×1011 kJ=4.0×10-2kJ/mol

12.9 Because IR absorptions can be expressed either in micrometers or in wavenumbers, it’s useful to
be able to interconvert between units. Do the following conversions.
(a) 3.10 μm to cm-1 Solution: 3.10 μm = 3225 cm-1
(b) 5.85 μm to cm-1 Solution: 5.85 μm = 1710 cm-1
(c) 2250 cm-1 to μm Solution: 2250 cm-1 = 4.44μm

12.10 Refer to Table 12.1, and make educated guesses about what functional groups the following
molecules might contain:
(a) A compound with a strong absorption at 1710 cm-1
(b) A compound with a strong absorption at 1540 cm-1
(c) A compound with strong absorption at 1720 cm-1 and at 2500~3100 cm-1
Solution: (a) O

(b) NO2
(c) O

C OH

12.11 How might you use IR spectroscopy to distinguish between the following pairs of isomers?
(a) CH3CH2OH and CH3OCH3 (b) Cyclohexane and 1-hexene
(b) CH3CH2COOH and HOCH2CH2CHO
Solution : (a) CH3CH2OH has a strong and broad H-O absorption at 3400 to 3650 cm-1 while
the CH3OCH3 without this absorption.
(b) 1-hexene has a C=C at 1640-1680 cm-1 , while the cyclohexane without this
absorption.
(c) CH3CH2COOH has a strong and broad O-H absorption at 2500-3100 cm-1, while
HOCH2CH2CHO has a strong O-H absorption at 3400-3650 cm-1 .

12.12 The IR spectrum of phenylacetylene is shown in Figure 12.15. What absorption bands can you
 identify?
Solution: 3300 cm-1 C C H absorption
H
3030 cm-1 aromatics C absorption (weak)

1450-1600 cm-1 absorption

2100-2260 cm-1 C C absorption

12.13 Where might the following compounds have IR absorption?

(a)
O

COCH3

Solution: C=C 1640~1680 cm-1

C=O1715cm-1
(b)
O

HC CCH2CH2CH
Solution: C≡C 2100~2260cm-1
≡C-H 3300cm-1
C=O 1730cm-1
(c)
CO2H

CH2OH
Solution: -OH(alcohol) 3400~3650cm-1
-OH(carboxylic acid) 2500~3100cm-1
C=O 1715cm-1

1660~2000cm-1 1450~1600cm-1
12.14 Where might the following compound have IR absorptions? (Red=O, blue=N)
Solution: N≡C 2210~2260cm-1
C=O 1690cm-1
C=C 1640~1680cm-1

12.15:Where in the IR spectrum would you expect each of the following molecules to absorb?

(a)

(b)

(c)
Solution:
(a):1730 cm-1 (C=O) ,1540 cm-1(NO2) and 1450-1600 cm-1 (benezene)
(b):1640-1680 cm-1 (RCH=CH2)and 1735cm-1(C=O)
(c):1715 cm-1(C=O )and 3400-3650 cm-1 (O-H)
12.16 Show structure of the likely fragments you would expect in the mass spectra of the following
molecules.

(a)

(b)
Solution:

H OH
O

(a):

N
N

CH3CH2 +
N
(b):

12.17 Write the molecular formulas of all hydrocarbons corresponding to the following molecular ions.
How many degrees of unsaturation (double bonds and/or rings) are indicated by each formula?
+
(a) M =86
Solution:
Formula Degrees of Unsaturation
C7H2 7
C6H14 0

(b) M+=110
Solution:
Formula Degrees of Unsaturation
C9H2 9
C8H14 2

(c) M+=146
Solution:
Formula Degrees of Unsaturation
C12H2 12
C11H14 5

(d) M+=190
Solution:
Formula Degrees of Unsaturation
C15H10 11
C14H22 4

12.18 Draw the structure of a molecule that is consistent with the mass-spectral data in each of the
following molecules:
(a) A hydrocarbon with M+=132

Solution: The formula is C10H12, one of the isomers is

(b) A hydrocarbon with M+=166

Solution: The formula is C13H10 or C12H22, one of the isomers of C13H10 is

and one of the

isomers of C12H22 is
(c) A hydrocarbon with M+=84

Solution: The formula is C6H12, one of the isomers is

12.19: Write molecular formulas for compounds that show the following molecular ions in their
high-resolution mass spectra. Assume that C, H, N and O might be present, and use the exact
atomic masses described in Section 12.2. (a) M+=98.0844; (b) M+=123.0320.
Solution: (a): As MH=1.00783, MC=12.00000, MN=14.00307, MO=15.99491, M+/ MC=8~~2;so the
probable molecular formulas are C7H14 or C6H10O, but the exact mass spectra of
C6H10O is 98.0732 witch is not the same as M+, so the exact molecular formulas is
C7H14.
(b): M+/ MC=10~~3; as the residual is an odd number so there should be a N, the
probable molecular formulas are C8H13N or C6H5NO2, but the exact mass spectra
of C8H13N is not the same as M+, so the exact molecular formula is C6H5NO2.
12.20: Camphor, a saturated monoketone from the Asian camphor tree, is used among other things as a
moth repellent and as a constituent of embalming fluid. If camphor has M+=152.1201 by
high-resolution mass spectrometry, what is its molecular formula? How many rings does
camphor have?
Solution: As the camphor is a monoketone, and M+/MC=12~~8, so the molecular formula should
be C10H16O, so the number of rings=(10*2-16)/2=2.

12.21 The nitrogen rule of mass spectrometry says that a compound containing an odd number of
nitrogens has an odd-numbered molecular ion. Conversely, a compound containing an even
number of nitrogens has an even-numbered M+ peak. Explain.
Solution: Nitrogen is trivalent, thus requiring an odd number of hydrogen atoms in a molecular.
So a compound containing an odd number of nitrogens has an odd-numbered molecular
ion. Conversely, a compound containing an even number of nitrogens has an
even-numbered M+ peak.

12.22 In light of the nitrogen rule mentioned in Problem 12.21, what is the molecular formula of
pyridine, M+ =79?
Solution: The molecular formula of pyridine: C5H5N

12.23 Nicotine is a diamino compound isolated from dried tobacco leaves. Nicotine has two rings and
M+=162.1157 by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Give a molecular formula for nicotine, and
calculate the number of double bonds.
Solution: The molecular formula of nicotine is C10H14N2
and it has 3 double bonds.
12.24 The hormone cortisone contains C, H, and O, and shows a molecule ion at M+ = 360.1937 by
high-resolution mass spectrometry. What is the molecular formula of cortisone?(The degree of
unsaturation of cortisone is 8)
Solution: The molecular formula is C21H28O5

12.25 Halogenated compounds are particularly easy to identify by their mass spectra because both
chlorine and bromine occur naturally as mixtures of two abundant isotopes. Chlorine occurs as
35
Cl(75.8%) and 37Cl(24.2%); bromine occurs as 79Br(50.7%) and 81Br(49.3%). At what masses do the
molecular ions occur for the following formulas? What are the relative percentages of the each
molecular ion?
(a) Bromomethane, CH3Br
Solution:
Molecular ion CH379Br+ CH381Br+
m/z 94 96
Relative percentage 50.7% 49.3%
(b) 1-Chlorohexane, C6H13Cl
Solution:
Molecular ion C6H1335Cl+ C6H1337Cl+
m/z 120 122
Relative percentage 75.8% 24.2%

12.26 Molecular ions can be particularly complex for polyhalogenated compounds. Taking the natural
abundance of Cl into account (See Problem 12.25), calculate the masses of the molecular ions of
the following formulas. What are the relative percentages of each ion?
(a) Chloroform, CHCl3
Solution:
Molecular ion CH35Cl3+ CH37Cl35Cl2+ CH35Cl37Cl2+ CH37Cl3+
m/z 118 120 122 124
Relative percentage 43.55% 47.71% 13.32% 1.42%
(b) Freon 12, CF2Cl2 (Fluorine occurs only as 19F.)
Solution:
Molecular ion CF235Cl2+ CF235Cl37Cl+ CF237Cl2+
m/z 120 122 124
Relative percentage 57.46% 36.69% 5.90%

12.27 By knowing the natural abundances of minor isotopes, it’s possible to calculate the relative
heights of M+ and M+1 peaks. If 13C has a natural abundance of 1.10%, what are the relative
heights of the M+ and M+1 peaks in the mass spectrum of benzene, C6H6?
Solution: The M+1 peak is 6.6%(1.1%*6) as high as the M+ peak.

12.28 Propose structures for compounds that fit the following data:
(a) A ketone with M+=86 and fragments at m/z=71 and m/z=43
(b) An alcohol with M+=88 and fragments at m/z=73,m/z=70, and m/z=59
Solution:
(a)
O

H3CH2CH2C C CH3
(-CH3: 86-71=15; -CH2CH2CH3: 86-43=43;)
(b)
 OH

H3CH2C C CH3

CH3
(-CH3: 88-73=15; H2O: 88-70=18; -CH2CH3: 88-59=29)

12.29 2-Methylpentane (C6H14) has the mass spectrum shown. Which peak represents M +? Which is
the basic peak? Propose structures for fragment ions of m/z =71, 57, 43 and 29. Why does the
base peak have mass it does?
Solution:
+
The molecule weight of 2-Methylpentane (C6H14) is about 86, so the final peak represents M
according to its molecular weight. The base peak is the peak with m/z =43. The structure of
fragment ions shows in the following structure:
CH3 CH3

CH CH2 CH
H3C C H3C CH2
H2
C4H9 +
C5 H11 +
Exact Mass: 71.09 Exact Mass: 57.07
Mol. Wt.: 71.14 Mol. Wt.: 57.11
m/e: 71.09 (100.0%), 72.09 (5.7%) m/e: 57.07 (100.0%), 58.07 (4.4%)
C, 84.42; H, 15.59 C, 84.12; H, 15.88
CH3 H

C 13
C
H3C H H3C H
+
C 3H 7 C 2H 5+
Exact Mass: 43.05 Exact Mass: 29.04
Mol. Wt.: 43.09 Mol. Wt.: 29.06
m/e: 43.05 (100.0%), 44.06 (3.4%) m/e: 29.04 (100.0%), 30.04 (2.2%)
C, 83.63; H, 16.38 C, 82.66; H, 17.34
 H

C
13
H3C H
C2H5 +
Exact Mass: 29.04
Mol. Wt.: 29.06
m/e:
C, 82.66; H, 17.34
The base peak is the peak that the carbocation with the molecular weight of 43, as it’s the most
stable carbocation in the process.

12.30 Assume that you are in a laboratory carrying out the catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene to
cyclohexane. How would you use a mass spectrometer to determine when the reaction is
finished?
Solution:
GC-MS should be used.

12.31 What fragments might you expect in the mass spectra of the following compounds?
(a)
O

a-cleavage C + CH3CH2CH2
O

H
O

CH2
McLafferty C
+
rearrangement CH2 CH2

(b)
 OH
a-cleavage
OH
+ CH3CH2

dehydration + H 2O
or

(c)

H
H
N a-cleavage
CH3 N
H2C C CH3
H

12.32 Convert the following IR absorption values from micrometers to wavenumbers:

(a) An alcohol, 2.98μm
υ=1/λ=3355.7cm-1
(b) An ester , 5.81μm
υ=1/λ=1721.2cm-1
(c) A nitrile, 4.93μm
υ=1/λ=2028.4cm-1

12.33 Convert the following IR absorption values from wavenumbers to micrometers:

(a) A cyclopentanone, 1755cm-1 (b) An amine, 3250cm-1
(c) An aldehyde, 1725cm-1 (d) An acid chloride, 1780cm-1
Solution: (a) λ=1/1755 cm-1=0.5698mm
(b) λ=1/3250 cm-1=0.3077mm
(c) λ=1/1725 cm-1=0.5797mm
(d) λ=1/1780 cm-1=0.5618mm

12.34 How might you use IR spectroscopy to distinguish among the three isomers 1-butyne, 1,
3-butadiene, and 2-butyne?
Solution: To 1, 3-butadiene, there will be two strong absorption at 3020-3100 and 1640-1680
To 1-butyne, there will be two strong absorption at 3300 and 2100-2260.
To 2-butyne, there will be a strong absorption at 2100-2260 but not 3300.

12.35 Would you expect two enantiomers such as (R)-2-bromobutane and (S)-2-bromobutane to have
identical or different IR spectra? Explain.
 CH 3 CH 3
Br H H Br

H H H H
CH3 CH3
Solution: Identical. The reason: the enantiomers are mirror-image compounds, so every allowed
vibration of one compound has its mirror-image vibration of the other compound, and the two
mirror-image vebrations will have the same absorption.

12.36 Would you expect two diastereomers such as meso-2,3-dibromobutane and

(2R,3S)-dibromobutane to have identical or different IR spectra? Explain.
CH 3 CH 3
Br H Br H

H Br Br H
CH3 CH3
Solution: Different. The reason: Diastereomers are not mirror-image compounds, so every bond
of one compound can’t found another bond of the other compound that has the identical
circumstance, and the absorptions of the two compounds obviously are different.

12.37: Propose structures for compounds that meet the following description:
(a) C5H8, with IR absorptions at 3300 and 2150 cm-1
(b) C4H8O, with a strong IR absorption at 3400 cm-1
(c) C4H8O, with a strong IR absorption at 1715 cm-1
(d) C8H10, with IR absorption at 1600 and 1500 cm-1
Solution: (a) is HC CCH2CH2CH3
H
(b) is 3 CHC CHCH2OH
O

(c).is H3C C CH2CH3

H2
C
CH3

(d) is

12.38: How could you use infrared spectroscopy to distinguish between the following pairs of isomers?
(a) HC CCH2NH2 and H3CH2CC N
(b) CH3COCH3 and CH3CH2CHO
Solution: (a): HC CCH2NH2, with IR absorption at 3300 and 2100—2260 cm-1
H3CH2CC N , with a strong IR absorption at 2210—2260 cm-1
(b) CH3COCH3 with a strong IR absorption at 1715 cm-1
CH3CH2CHO with a strong IR absorption at 1730 cm-1
12.39 Two infrared spectra are shown.One is the spectrum of cyclohexane,and the other is the
spectrum of cyclohexene. Identify them, and explain your answer.
Solution: (b) is the spectrum of cyclohexene because it shows a characteristic
C C absorption at 1640 cm-1 and a vinylic =C-H absorption at 3020 cm-1.

12.40 At what approximate positions might the following conpounds show IR absorptions?
Solution:

(a)
CO2H

C H 3030 weak

1660~2000 weak
1450~1600 medium

C O 1670~1780 strong

O H 2500~3100 strong, very broad

(b)
CO2CH3

C H 3030 weak

1660~2000 weak
1450~1600 medium

C O 1670~1780 strong

CH3 2850~2960 medium to strong

 (c)
C N

HO

C H 3030 weak

1660~2000 weak
1450~1600 medium

O H 2500~3100 strong, very broad

C N 2210~2260 medium
(d) O

C O 1670~1780 strong

C C 1640~1680 medium

C H 3020~3100 medium
(e)
O O
CH3CCH2CH2COCH3

C H 2850~2960 medium to strong

C O 1670~1780 strong

C O 1050~1150 strong

12.41 How would you use infrared spectroscopy to distinguish between the following pairs of
constitutional isomers?

(a) and
O O

(b) and
O

(c) O and
Solution:

(a). has a strong absorption at the position of 3300cm-1 of C H.

(b). has a special strong absorption at 1690cm-1 of C O because of the

 O

conjugation π bond, and should have separated typical absorption of C O

and C C.

(c). has a distinguishing absorption at 1730cm-1 of aldehydes which is different from

those of C C and O .

12.42 At what approximate positions might the following compounds show IR absorptions?
O

(a) O (b) (c) (d) O

(e) O

Solution:
(a).Absorption: 1670-1780cm-1 of C O.
-1
(b).Absorption: 3300cm of C H; 2100-2260cm-1 of C C .
-1 -1
(c).Absorption: 3020-3100cm of C H; 1640-1680cm of C C.

(d).Absorption: 1735cm-1 of typical O .

-1
(e).Absorption: 1690cm of C O next to the aromatic ring; 1450-1600cm-1 and

H
-1 -1
1660-2000cm (should be overlapped) of benzene ring; 3030cm of .

12.43 Assume you are carrying out the dehydration of 1-methylcyclohexanol to yield
1-methylcyclohexene. How could you use infrared spectroscopy to determine when the
reaction is complete?
Solution: When there is no absorption in the area of 3400-3650 where O-H has absorption peak,
it shows that the reaction is complete.

12.44. Assume that you are carrying out the base-induced dehydrobromination of
3-bromo-3-methylpentane to yield an alkene. How could you use IR spectroscopy to tell which
of two possible elimination products is formed?
Solution: Because R2C CH2 has a big absorption in the 890cm^, we only need to find
whether there is an sorption in the 890cm^, if there is an absorption , the product will be
CH2
H2 H2
H3C C C C CH3
if not, it is
CH3
H2
H3C C C C CH3
H

12.45 Which is stronger, the C=O bond in an ester (1735cm-1) or the C=O bond in a saturated ketone
(1715 cm-1)? Explain.
Solution:1735>1715, so the C=O bond in an ester (1735cm-1) is stronger than the C=O bond in a
saturated ketone (1715 cm-1). Strong bonds vibrate at a higher energy and a higher frequency.

12.46 Carvone is an unsaturated ketone responsible for the odor of spearmint. If carvone has M+=150
in its mass spectrum and contains three double bonds and one ring, what is its molecular
formula?
Solution: C10H14O

12.47 Carvone (Problem 12.46) has an intense infrared absorption at 1690 cm-1. what kind of ketone
dose carvone contain?
Solution: carvone contains ketone next to a double bond. As follow:

12.48 The mass spectrum (a) and the infrared spectrum (b) of an unknown hydrocarbon are shown.
Propose as many structures as you can.
Solution:
IR:
z The region from 3500 to 3000 cm-1 corresponding to absorptions caused by ≡C-H
z The region from 2200 to 2000 cm-1 is where C≡C stretching occurs.
So there is a terminal C≡C-H in the molecule.

MS:
The base peak is m/z =67. It is not the M+ because the mass of hydrocarbon can not be odd.
So the M+ might be 68 or 82.
If M+’s mass is 68, the formula might be C5H8, and the structure may be

or
If the loss of a methyl radical from the molecule gives rise to the base peak, the mss of the
molecule is 67+15=82, which is hexyne. The structure might be
 , or

HC CCH2CH2CH2CH3

HC CCH2CH2CH2 HC CCH2CH2 HC CCH2 HC C

m/z: 67 53 39 25

CH3

HC CCH2CHCH3

HC CCH2CHCH3 HC CCH2 CH HC CCH2 HC C

m/z: 67 53 39 25

CH3

HC CCCH3

CH3

CH3

HC CCCH3 HC C

m/z: 67 25

The answer is 1-pentyne.

12.49 The mass spectrum and the infrared spectrum of another unknown hydrocarbon are shown.
Propose as many structures as you can.

Solution:: or
12.50 Propose structures for compounds that meet the following descriptions:
(a) An optically active compound C5H10O with an IR absorption at 1730 cm-1
(b) An non-optically active compound C5H9N with an IR absorption at 2215cm-1
Solution:
(a)Saturated aldehyde absorb at 1730 cm-1, and the compound is optically active, so the possible
structure is:
H H

C
CHO OHC
H3CH2C or CH2CH3
CH3 H3C

(b) Nitriles(−C≡≡N) absorb at 2215 cm-1 and the compound is non-optically active.
The possible structure is:

H2C C N H2C C N

H2C or H3C CH

H2C CH3 CH3

12.51 4-Methyl-2-pentanone and 3-methylpentanal are isomers. Explain how you could tell them apart,
both by mass spectrometry and by infrared spectroscopy.
O

O
C
H2
4-Methyl-2-pentanone 3-methylpentanal
solution:
by mass spectrometry : we can get different base peak to tell them apart
by infrared spectroscopy: the aldehyde absorb at 1730 cm-1 , while the ketone absorb at 1715 cm-1

12.52 Grignard reagents undergo a general and very useful reaction with ketones.
Methylmagnesium bromide, for example, reacts with cyclohexanone to yield a product with the
formula C7H14O. What is the structure of this product if it has an IR absorbtion at 3400 cm-1?( See
Section 17.6)
Solution:
OH

CH3

The hydroxyen group results in the IR absorbtion at 3400 cm-1 .

12.53 Ketones undergo a reduction when treated with sodium borohydride, NaBH4. What’s the
structure of the compound produced by reaction of 2-Butanone with NaBH4 if it has an IR
 absorption at 3400cm-1 and M+ =74 in the mass spectrum?(See Section 17.5)

O
1.NaBH4
H3C C
C CH3 2.H3O+
H2

Solution:
Cause the Function Group O-H’s Band position is 3400~3650,so there should be a –OH group in
the product. And M+ =74,which indicates that the product should be C4H10O.So the structure of
OH

H3 C CH
C CH3
the product should be H2

12.54 Nitriles, R-CN, undergo a hydrolysis reaction when heated with aqueous acid. What is the
structure of the compound produced by hydrolysis of propanenitrile, CH3CH2CN, if it has IR
absorption at 2500cm-1 and 1710cm-1 and has M+ =74?
Solution:
O
N
H3C C H3O+
H3C C
C
H2 C OH
H2

The IR absorption between 2500cm-1 and 1710cm-1 shows the C=O functional group. By
calculating the molecular mass, the product is an acid.