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Chemistry LibreTexts

Active Methylene Compound

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An active methylene compound is a compound that has the following general structural formula.

activemethylenecompound1.png

E1, E2 = a functional group that withdraws electrons by resonance

eg:

activemethylenecompound2.png

The conjugate base of an active methylene compound is highly resonance stabilized.

eg:

activemethylenecompound3.png

Consequently, active methylene compounds are highly acidic and can be deprotonated, for all practical purposes, irreversibly, using common strong bases, such as the hydroxide ion or alkoxide ions.

activemethylenecompound4.png

Notice that the equilibrium constant, K, is very large.

activemethylenecompound5.png


This page titled Active Methylene Compound is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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