Question

Th e condensation reaction of acetone, (CH3)2CO (propanone), in aqueous solution is catalyzed by bases, B, which react reversibly with acetone to form the carbanion C3H5O−. Th e carbanion then reacts with a molecule of acetone to give the product. A simplifi ed version of the mechanism is

(1) AH + B → BH+ + A−

(2) A− + BH+ → AH + B

(3) A− + HA → product

where AH stands for acetone and A− its carbanion. Use the steadystate approximation to fi nd the concentration of the carbanion and derive the rate equation for the formation of the product.

Answer 1