Which reagent might serve as the basis for a simple chemical test that would distinguish between 5$\infty$-cholest-1-en-3-one and 5$\infty$-cholestan-3-one?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reagent that could serve as the basis for a simple chemical test to distinguish between the two compounds is Br2/CCl4. The difference between the two compounds is the presence or absence of a double bond between C5 and C6 in the ring system. Cholesterol has a double bond at this position, while cholestanone does not. The Br2/CCl4 reagent can selectively react with the double bond in cholesterol, but not with the fully saturated cholestanone, producing a characteristic color change. Therefore, option C, Br2/CCl4, is the best choice for this test. None of the other reagents are specific enough to distinguish between these compounds.

Which Reagent Might Serve as the Basis for a Simple ∞\infty∞

Which Reagent Might Serve as the Basis for a Simple $\infty$