Question

Predict the products when :

(1) dimethyl acetylene 

(2) ethyl acetylene and 

(3) diethyl acetylene are treated with mercuric sulphate in dilute sulphuric acid.

Answer 1

(1) Dimethyl acetylene with 40% H₂SO₄ in the presence of mercuric sulphate (H_gSO₄) forms ethyl methyl ketone by tautomerisation.

(2) Ethyl acetylene with 40% H₂SO₄ in the presence of mercuric sulphate (H_gSO₄) forms Butan-2-one by tautomerisation.

(3) Diethyl acetylene with 40% H₂SO₄ in the presence of mercuric sulphate (H_gSO₄) forms hexan-3-one.