Questions: Minor resonance contributors are often useful in identifying reactive sites on a molecule. Based on the reaction above, classify the glyoxylic acid reactant as either the nucleophile or the electrophile and choose the resonance contributor that best highlights the site(s) of reactivity on the molecule. REACTANT TYPE: electrophile RESONANCE CONTRIBUTOR: [Select] How does the glyoxylic acid become protonated? PROTON SOURCE:

Minor resonance contributors are often useful in identifying reactive sites on a molecule. Based on the reaction above, classify the glyoxylic acid reactant as either the nucleophile or the electrophile and choose the resonance contributor that best highlights the site(s) of reactivity on the molecule.

REACTANT TYPE: electrophile

RESONANCE CONTRIBUTOR:
[Select]

How does the glyoxylic acid become protonated?
PROTON SOURCE:
Transcript text: Minor resonance contributors are often useful in identifying reactive sites on a molecule. Based on the reaction above, classify the glyoxylic acid reactant as either the nucleophile or the electrophile and choose the resonance contributor that best highlights the site(s) of reactivity on the molecule. REACTANT TYPE: electrophile RESONANCE CONTRIBUTOR: [Select] How does the glyoxylic acid become protonated? PROTON SOURCE: $\square$
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Reactant Type
  • The problem asks to classify the glyoxylic acid reactant as either the nucleophile or the electrophile.
  • Glyoxylic acid has a carbonyl group (C=O), which is typically an electrophilic site due to the partial positive charge on the carbon atom.
Step 2: Determine the Resonance Contributor
  • The resonance contributor that best highlights the site(s) of reactivity on the molecule should show the electron distribution that makes the carbonyl carbon more electrophilic.
  • Among the given resonance structures (A, B, C, D), structure A shows a positive charge on the carbonyl carbon, indicating it is the most electrophilic.
Step 3: Protonation of Glyoxylic Acid
  • The problem asks how glyoxylic acid becomes protonated.
  • The proton source provided is hydrochloric acid (HCl), which donates a proton (H⁺) to the glyoxylic acid.

Final Answer

  • Reactant Type: Electrophile
  • Resonance Contributor: A
  • Proton Source: Hydrochloric acid
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