Exams › JEE Main › Chemistry

Which of the following derivatives of alcohols is unstable in an aqueous base ? (1) RO – CMe3 (2) RO – C(=O)Me (3) RO – CH2 – C6H5 (4) a six-membered cyclic ether derivative with RO substituent and one oxygen atom in the ring

1. RO – CMe3
2. RO – C(=O)Me
3. RO – CH2 – C6H5
4. a six-membered cyclic ether derivative with RO substituent and one oxygen atom in the ring

Correct answer: RO – C(=O)Me

Solution

The derivative RO – C(=O)Me is unstable in an aqueous base because the carbonyl group can undergo hydrolysis, leading to the formation of a carboxylic acid and making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack, which destabilizes the compound.

Related JEE Main Chemistry questions

• Why is ortho-nitrophenol less soluble in water than the meta- and para-nitrophenol isomers?
• Which of the following structures represents vinylcarbinol?
• Which separation technique is most appropriate for a 1:1 mixture of ortho-nitrophenol and para-nitrophenol?
• Which of the following is NOT a starting material used for the preparation of iodoform?
• Iodoform is formed from all of the following except:
• Which reagent can convert CH$_3$CH$_2$OH into CH$_3$CHO?

⚔️ Practice JEE Main Chemistry free + battle 1v1 →