Practice Problem 18.37 Firefly luciferin is the compound that enables fireflies

Question

Practice Problem 18.37

Firefly luciferin is the compound that enables fireflies to glow.

The above structure exhibits three rings. Identify which of the rings are aromatic. Enter the numbers in ascending order separated by a comma (e.g. 1, 2, 3). _______ Identify which lone pairs are participating in resonance (in aromatic rings). One lone pair on the sulfur atom. One lone pair on each of the sulfur atoms and one lone pair on each of the OH groups. One lone pair on the sulfur atom and one lone pair on the OH group. One lone pair on each of the nitrogen atoms and one lone pair on each of the OH groups.

Explanation / Answer

1. Ring 1 and 2 are cyclic, planar and having 4n+2 electron systems. So, these two are aromatic. Ring 3 is non-aromatic because it does not have complete delocalization of electrons throughout the ring.

2. One lone pair on sulfur of ring 2 and one lone pair on OH are in resonance.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse P
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.