MDCAT Chemistry MCQ #397

When ethanal is treated with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid, it polymerizes into a cyclic trimer used in medicine as a hypnotic. Name this trimer.

MDCAT Chemistry MCQ #397

  1. Question 1

    Q1. When ethanal is treated with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid, it polymerizes into a cyclic trimer used in medicine as a hypnotic. Name this trimer.

    • A) Paraldehyde
    • B) Metaformaldehyde
    • C) Acetal
    • D) Crotonaldehyde

    Answer: Paraldehyde

    Explanation: Paraldehyde is a trimer of acetaldehyde formed with H2SO4; it is used as a hypnotic. Option B is formaldehyde's trimer.