Consider the compound 2,4-pentanedione. How many highly acidic -hydrogens are actively involved in d — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

2,4-pentanedione (acetylacetone) has an active methylene group ($-CH_2-$) at carbon-3 flanked by two strongly electron-withdrawing carbonyl groups. These 2 $\alpha$ -hydrogens are highly acidic and actively participate in the rapid 1,3-shift (keto-enol tautomerism) to form a stable, conjugated enol ring via intramolecular hydrogen bonding.