Pentenol (right?) vs. Pentone (??) and why?

MorganFreeman2 · Post by **MorganFreeman2** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:02 pm

Why is the second compound more stable than the first?

Zedekiah · Post by **Zedekiah** » Mon May 12, 2008 4:01 pm

Oxygen is more electronegative and therefore makes stronger double bonds than carbon.

MorganFreeman2 · Post by **MorganFreeman2** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:05 pm

Is it because the oxygen has less pulling on it's electrons when it's double bonded with carbon, than with an hydrogen and carbon?

Zedekiah · Post by **Zedekiah** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:39 am

I think that is fair to say. It want electrons more than carbon does, so it will be more stable with the double bond than carbon will be.