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In the presence of 18-crown-6, potassium permanganate
Chapter 24, Problem 3P(choose chapter or problem)
Problem 3P
In the presence of 18-crown-6, potassium permanganate dissolves in benzene to give “purple benzene,” a useful reagent for oxidizing alkenes in an aprotic environment. Use a drawing of the complex to show why KMnO4 dissolves in benzene and why the reactivity of the permanganate ion is enhanced.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Problem 3P
In the presence of 18-crown-6, potassium permanganate dissolves in benzene to give “purple benzene,” a useful reagent for oxidizing alkenes in an aprotic environment. Use a drawing of the complex to show why KMnO4 dissolves in benzene and why the reactivity of the permanganate ion is enhanced.
ANSWER:
Solution 3P
Complexation by crown ether often allows polar inorganic salts to dissolve in a non polar organic solvents. This enhanced solubility allows polar salts to be used under aprotic conditions, where the uncomplexed anions may have greatly enhanced reactivity.