How does "acetone" differ from "propionaldehyde"?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 24, 2017

You gots H_3C-CH_2C(=O)H versus H_3C-C(=O)CH_3

Explanation:

Now both molecules have a molecular formula of C_3H_6O, and both isomers have a carbonyl functionality. However, the connectivity is different: we have an internal carbonyl for the ketone, and a terminal carbonyl for the aldehyde.

The chemistry of these structural isomers would be similar. However, propanal or propionaldehyde, because the carbonyl is at the end of the chain, would be more reactive than the ketone, whose carbonyl is at C_2......this is a steric effect.

Would ""^1H "NMR spectroscopy" be a good means to differentiate the two isomers?

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