Alcohols combine with ketones and aldehydes to form interesting derivatives, which we will discuss in Chapter 18. The following reactions show the hydrolysis of two such derivatives. Propose mechanisms for these reactions.

(a)

(b)

(a) The chemical reaction that takes place between an organic compound and water to give new compounds is called hydrolysis.There will be a cleavage of chemical bonds during the formation of new compounds.

In this reaction, there is an opening of the ring where carbonyl and alcoholic groups get attached at the terminals. Another product will be methanol. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid and water molecule.

The mechanism of the reaction is given below.

(b) The IUPAC name for the given reactant is 2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydrobenzofuran. The word hydro stands for the presence of hydrogen. There is one double bond in the cyclic ring of six carbons.

The given reactant opens its ring where it bears an oxygen atom. One terminal becomes a keto group, and the other becomes an alcoholic group.

In this mechanism, the ring opening takes place by the treatment of an acid. Then, the intermediate obtained is treated with water to get the final product. The mechanism is shown below.