Draw a mechanism for the first step of the reaction between methyllithium (CH3Li) and acetone. Then answer the two multiple choice questions underneath your mechanism.

See the attached image

Explanation:

The first step is the production of the carboanion in the compound. We will get the negative charge on the methyl group and the positive charge in the Li atom.

Then the carboanion can attack the acetone. The double bond of the oxo group would delocalized upon the oxygen, generating a positive charge in the carbon that can be attacked by the carboanion formaiting a new C-C bond.

"among the transition metal elements, manganese and zinc have a slight lowering of electronegativities. the reason behind this is that the nuclear charges of these elements are slightly weaker than the other transition metal elements due to the way their valence electrons are filled up. both manganese and zinc have their valence electrons filled up to the 4th shell with 1 pair of electrons (4s2) completely occupying it. although the electrons in the 3rd shell (3d) are yet to be paired since the outer most shell is filled up, the ability of the nucleus to attract electrons is lessened. hence,   the electronegativity (or the ability to attract electrons) is lessened."