Question

How does dil HCl react with acetone full mechanism please.

Answer 1

Duquesne University

I think the most likely reactions will be acid-catalyzed aldol reactions:

1) acetone can tautomerize to 2-hydroxypropene (2-propenol)

2) 2-propenol is nucleophilic enough that it can react with another equivalent of acetone, forming a new C-C bond. Depending on the strength of the acid and the temperature of the reaction, this may dehydrate to give the enone... 

3) this reaction can happen multiple times, and 1,4-addition or extended enolate formation may even allow polymerization.