An unknown hydrocarbon reacts with ammoniacal cuprous chloride () to form a red precipitate. Which of the following structures is consistent with this observation?

Question

An unknown hydrocarbon reacts with ammoniacal cuprous chloride ($Cu_2Cl_2/NH_4OH$) to form a red precipitate. Which of the following structures is consistent with this observation?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. This reagent tests specifically for terminal alkynes. The highly electronegative sp-hybridized carbon renders the terminal hydrogen slightly acidic, allowing it to form a red copper acetylide precipitate. 1-butyne is terminal.

💡 Solution & Explanation

Practice 22,000+ questions like this