A completion of Krafft's proof of the structure of cetene

Abstract

Abstract The proof given by Krafft for the terminal position of the double bond in cetene is not complete, as during the formation of cetyne‐1 from cetene dibromide the possibility was not precluded of a rearrangement under the influence of powdered KOH. In the present paper it is demonstrated that: 1. This rearrangement does not take place; 2. During the preparation of cetyne‐2 from cetene dibromide under the influence of alcoholic KOH cetyne‐1 is the first reaction product. This conclusively shows that cetene is hexadecene‐1.