Question 1

What is the major organic product formed when 2-pyrrolidinone (shown in the image) is heated with aqueous HCl?

Accepted Answer

4-aminobutyric acid hydrochloride ($$\mathrm{H_2N(CH_2$)_3COOH \cdot HCl})$$

Question 2

Which type of reaction is occurring when 2-pyrrolidinone is heated with aqueous HCl?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 3

What is the role of HCl in the reaction of 2-pyrrolidinone with water?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a catalyst to speed up hydrolysis

Question 4

Which functional group is present in the product after hydrolysis of 2-pyrrolidinone under acidic conditions?

Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acid

Question 5

Write the balanced chemical equation for the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-pyrrolidinone.

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C_4H_7NO + H_2O + HCl \rightarrow C_4H_9NO_2 \cdot HCl}$$

Question 6

If the reaction is performed without heating, what is the expected outcome?

Accepted Answer

No significant reaction occurs

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-pyrrolidinone?

Accepted Answer

Nucleophilic acyl substitution

Question 8

During the hydrolysis of 2-pyrrolidinone, which atom in the molecule is most susceptible to nucleophilic attack?

Accepted Answer

The carbonyl carbon atom

Question 9

What is the IUPAC name of the product formed after hydrolysis of 2-pyrrolidinone?

Accepted Answer

4-aminobutanoic acid

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true regarding the hydrolysis of cyclic amides (lactams) under acidic conditions?

Accepted Answer

The reaction produces an amine and a carboxylic acid

Hydrolysis of Lactams: Acid-Catalyzed Ring Opening

Study Guide - Practice Questions