An unknown symmetrical alkyne with the molecular formula undergoes complete oxidative ozonolysis to — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
An unknown symmetrical alkyne with the molecular formula $C_6H_{10}$ undergoes complete oxidative ozonolysis to yield solely propanoic acid as the organic product. How many moles of propanoic acid are produced from the cleavage of exactly 1 mole of this alkyne?
💡 Solution & Explanation
Since the ozonolysis yields only one type of product (propanoic acid, a 3-carbon acid), the 6-carbon alkyne must be symmetrical. It is hex-3-yne ($CH_3CH_2-C\equiv C-CH_2CH_3$). Oxidative cleavage breaks the triple bond entirely, generating one molecule of propanoic acid from each half. Thus, 1 mole of hex-3-yne yields exactly 2 moles of propanoic acid.