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Question #44948

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

D-Glucose is treated with excess \ce{CH3OH} in the presence of dry \ce{HCl} gas to yield compound PP (a mixture of anomers). Compound PP is then subjected to the following reaction sequence:

  1. \ce{HCN (aq)}, trace \ce{KCN}
  2. Dilute \ce{H3O+}, Δ\Delta
  3. \ce{Br2 / H2O}

Identify the major final product(s) of this sequence.

Options

  • A.

    D-Gluconic acid

  • B.

    A mixture of D-glucoheptonic acid and D-mannoheptonic acid

  • C.

    Methyl D-gluconate

  • D.

    A mixture of D-glucoheptose and D-mannoheptose

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Mechanism_Trap

Don't get tricked by the process! Learn the mechanical traps used in competitive exam questions.

Concepts Behind This Question

D-Glucose Anomeric Equilibrium|Reducing Sugar Criteria|Kiliani-Fischer Chain Extension

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

This question tests the structural requirements for the reactions of reducing sugars.

Students often memorize the Kiliani-Fischer synthesis (chain extension via \ce{HCN}) without realizing it strictly requires a free carbonyl group.

By converting D-glucose to a methyl glycoside (an acetal), the anomeric center is blocked, preventing the formation of the open-chain aldehyde.

The trap is assuming the chain extension occurs anyway, leading to the incorrect 7-carbon heptonic acids.

The correct path requires identifying the inertness of the glycoside to \ce{HCN}, followed by its acid-catalyzed hydrolysis back to D-glucose, and subsequent mild oxidation to D-gluconic acid.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectChemistry
ChapterBiomolecules - Class 12
ConceptD-Glucose Anomeric Equilibrium
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load7
Target Solve Time160 sec
AccessFree