The vigorous ozonolysis of -xylene (1,2-dimethylbenzene) followed by reductive workup () provides ch — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

$o$ -xylene exists as a resonance hybrid. If localized Kekule structures were stationary, one structure (with a double bond between the methyl-bearing carbons) would yield 1 mole of dimethylglyoxal (biacetyl) and 2 moles of glyoxal. The other structure would yield 2 moles of methylglyoxal and 1 mole of glyoxal. The experimental observation of all three products (glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and dimethylglyoxal) proves the resonance delocalization of the double bonds.