VKC ScienceChemistry for written exams Telegram

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 · 2025 · Paper II

Q6(c)(iii). Photolysis of 4,5-dimethylhexan-2-one

Question

Predict the major and minor products for the following photoreaction (hν) of 4,5-dimethylhexan-2-one. Give the logic. [structure given in the paper]

Answer in brief

Major: acetone + 2-methylbut-2-ene; minor: acetone + 3-methylbut-1-ene (and some cyclobutanol), by Norrish type II.

Part of VKC Basic

Read the key points and the full model answer with VKC Basic

VKC Basic (₹999 for 6 months) opens every solved answer, the notes, the handbook and the daily answer archive. Every Mains test series includes it.

See what is included Already a member? Sign in

The full model answer

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.

The handwritten model answer pages open with the VKC plan.

CoversNorrish type IIγ-hydrogen abstraction1,4-biradicalNorrish–Yangcyclobutanol