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UPSC Civil Services (Mains)

Chemistry optional

  • 2 papers
  • 250 marks each
  • 3 h per paper
  • 5 of 8 questions, Q1 and Q5 compulsory

Paper II covers organic chemistry and spectroscopy.

UPSC Civil Services (Mains), Chemistry optional · 2022 · Paper II

Q6(a)(ii). Photolysis of 4,5-dimethylheptan-2-one

Question

Giving justification, write the major and minor product(s) of the photolysis (hν) of the given ketone. Comment upon the chirality of recovered reactant (if any). [structure of optically active 4,5-dimethylheptan-2-one given in the paper]

Answer in brief

Major: acetone + 3-methylpent-2-ene (E and Z), via the tertiary γ-H at C-5; minor: 3-methylpent-1-ene and a cyclobutanol (Yang); recovered ketone is epimerised at C-5, C-4 retained.

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As written for the answer booklet: the diagram carries the working, the lines stay short. Read here only; it is not offered as a download.

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CoversNorrish type IIYang cyclisation1,4-biradicalepimerisationphotochemistry of ketones