The most appropriate reagent for the conversion of 2-pentanone to butanoic acid is

Options

A. sodium hypoiodite
B. `O_(2)`
C. acidified `KMnO_(4)`
D. alkaline `KMnO_(4)`

Answer

To convert 2-pentanone to butanoic acid, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the structure of 2-pentanone
2-pentanone is a ketone with the following structure:
- Molecular formula: C5H10O
- Structure: CH3-CO-CH2-CH2-CH3

### Step 2: Understand the reaction needed
To convert a ketone to a carboxylic acid, we can use reagents that facilitate oxidation. In this case, we want to convert 2-pentanone (a ketone) to butanoic acid (a carboxylic acid).

### Step 3: Choose the appropriate reagent
The most suitable reagent for this conversion is sodium hypoiodite (NaOI), which is known to facilitate the conversion of methyl ketones to carboxylic acids through the formation of iodoform (CHI3) in a reaction known as the iodoform reaction.

### Step 4: Reaction mechanism
1. **Formation of iodoform**: When 2-pentanone reacts with sodium hypoiodite, it undergoes the iodoform reaction, leading to the formation of iodoform (CHI3) and a carboxylic acid.
2. **Hydrolysis**: The product of the reaction is then subjected to hydrolysis, which converts the intermediate into butanoic acid.

### Step 5: Final product
The final product after hydrolysis is butanoic acid (C3H7COOH), confirming that the conversion from 2-pentanone to butanoic acid is successful.

### Conclusion
Thus, the most appropriate reagent for the conversion of 2-pentanone to butanoic acid is sodium hypoiodite (NaOI).