What is the intermediate of the transformation shown below?
D)The reaction is concerted and no intermediate is formed.

Question

What is the intermediate of the transformation shown below? 
D)The reaction is concerted and no intermediate is formed.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The only difference between the starting molecule and the product is the substitution of the methyl group (-CH3) on the carbon bearing the carboxyl group (-COOH) with a hydroxyl group (-OH). This can only occur via an intermediate in which the methyl group is transformed into a carbonyl group (-CO-) or some other functional group, which then facilitates the substitution with -OH. The intermediate in choice C has a carbonyl group at the appropriate position, making it the most likely candidate.

What Is the Intermediate of the Transformation Shown Below