Degree of Unsaturation (DU):1 (One carbonyl pi bond)
Key Shapes/Rings/Chirality:Trigonal planar central carbon. Highly symmetric and achiral.
2. The Physical Profile
Strongest IMF:Strong Dipole-Dipole interactions (No H-bond donors present)
Water Soluble? (Yes/No):Yes (3 Carbons to 1 Oxygen carbonyl group means complete water miscibility; acts as H-bond acceptor)
High or Low BP/MP?Low-Moderate BP (56°C; volatile liquid because molecules cannot hydrogen-bond to themselves)
3. Electronic Map
Stark dipole vector toward Oxygen (δ−), generating a highly electrophilic carbonyl center on C2 (δ+).
Identify resonance (Yes/No):Yes (Minor contributor puts full negative charge on Oxygen and a positive charge on C2; enolate conjugate base has significant resonance)
The six methyl α-protons are weakly acidic (pKa ≈ 20).
4. Reactive Portfolio
Circle Nucleophilic sites: Carbonyl oxygen lone pairs (weak Lewis base).
Box Electrophilic sites: The C2 central carbonyl carbon.