In the final cleavage step of the haloform reaction mechanism on a methyl ketone, what acts as the e — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

After exhaustive halogenation, $OH^-$ attacks the carbonyl carbon, and the $C-C$ bond cleaves. The trihalomethyl carbanion ($CX_3^-$) acts as a stable leaving group because the three halogens stabilize the negative charge via a strong -I effect.