The number of total final products formed in given reaction
`CH_(3)-CHOoverset(OH)underset(Delta)to`

Options

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer

To solve the problem regarding the number of total final products formed in the reaction of acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) with hydroxide ions (OH⁻) under heat (Δ), we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reaction Type
The reaction involves acetaldehyde (an aldehyde) and a hydroxide ion, which indicates that we are likely dealing with an aldol condensation reaction. In this reaction, the aldehyde will undergo deprotonation at the alpha carbon by the hydroxide ion.

**Hint:** Look for the presence of alpha hydrogens in the aldehyde to confirm the possibility of an aldol reaction.

### Step 2: Deprotonation of Acetaldehyde
When the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) attacks the alpha hydrogen of acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO), it forms an enolate ion. The enolate ion is stabilized by resonance.

**Hint:** Remember that the enolate ion is formed by the removal of an alpha hydrogen, leading to a negatively charged carbon.

### Step 3: Nucleophilic Attack
The enolate ion then acts as a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl carbon of another acetaldehyde molecule. This step leads to the formation of a β-hydroxy aldehyde.

**Hint:** Consider how the enolate ion interacts with another molecule of acetaldehyde to form a new bond.

### Step 4: Formation of β-Hydroxy Aldehyde
The product formed from the nucleophilic attack is a β-hydroxy aldehyde (3-hydroxybutanal). This compound can undergo dehydration (loss of water) to form an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde.

**Hint:** Look for the structure of the β-hydroxy aldehyde and the possibility of losing water to form a double bond.

### Step 5: Dehydration to Form Final Products
The β-hydroxy aldehyde can lose a water molecule to form an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde (crotonaldehyde). This compound can exist in two geometric isomers: cis and trans forms.

**Hint:** Consider the geometric isomerism that arises from the double bond in the final product.

### Step 6: Count the Final Products
The final products of the reaction are:
1. **Cis isomer of crotonaldehyde**
2. **Trans isomer of crotonaldehyde**

Thus, the total number of distinct final products formed in this reaction is **2**.

**Final Answer:** The total number of final products formed is **2**.