aldehydes and ketones

Question 1

the opposite of the oxidation of alcohols

Answer 1

all of the oxidation reactions involved in the production of aldehydes and ketones can be reversed by reduction reactions (nucleophilic addition)

Question 2

conditions for nucleophilic addition

Answer 2

• reducing agent of NaBH4

Question 3

mechanism of nucleophilic addition

Answer 3

the reducing agent NaBH4, provides the H: nucleophile. however, a H+ ion is required so the reaction takes place under aqueuos conditions

Question 4

why would KCN be used as a reagent over HCN in a nucleophilic addition reaction

Answer 4

HCN is hard to store a gas and reacts to produce dangerous byproducts

Question 4

how to form hydroxynitrile

Answer 4

nucleophilic addition taking place with the CN- nucleophile. it’s a form of synthesis as it causes the carbon chain to be extended by one carbon atom

Question 5

hydroxy nitriles structure

Answer 5

contain a chiral carbon centre meaning optical isomers of the product exist. the CN nucleophile can attack either above of below the double bond causing different enantiomers to be produced