Destroyer OC #81 (2012)

Started by Heller123
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Heller123

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I'm not quite understanding how this reaction works:

PhC=OCH3 ( + excess D2O, DCl (catalytic) --> PhC=OCD3
 
Deuterium replaces acidic alpha hydrogen 🙂 the question is simply asking the concept of alpha hydrogen acidity. DCl makes the acidic condition which promotes the deprotonation. Since the reaction is at equilibrium, protonation occurs, but this time the reactant picks up deuterium because there is excess amount.