Chapter 28 - Organic Synthesis Flashcards
what are the 4 main ways to increase the length of a carbon chain
- reacting a haloalkane with ethanolic KCN
- reacting a carbonyl compound with HCN (acidified KCN)
- alkylation of benzene
- acylation of benzene
what is the reaction to increase the carbon chain length of a haloalkane, what are the conditions/reactants
Haloalkane + ethanolic KCN —> nitrile + KCl
ethanolic KCN
warmed
what reaction mechanism is the reaction to increase the carbon chain length of a haloalkane, describe it
it is nucleophilic substitution
- the C-X bond on the haloalkane is polar with the carbon being delta(+ve)
- the C(-)N ion is negative, it contains a lone pair on the carbon
- the cyanide ion attacks the delta(+ve) carbon and donates an electron pair, acting as a nucleophile
- the C-X bond breaks by heterolytic fission
- the product is a C-CN group and a halogen ion
what is the reaction to increase the carbon chain length of carbonyl compounds, what are the conditions/reactants and what to note about one of the reactants
carbonyl compound + HCN —> Hydroxynitrile
- the HCN comes from acidified KCN because it is too dangerous to use directly
- heat under reflux
what is the mechanism for the reaction to increase the chain length of a carbonyl compound, describe it
- nucleophilic addition
- the C=O bond is polar where the carbon is delta(+ve)
- the C(-)N ion is polar and contains a lone pair
- the C(-)N ion attacks the delta(+ve) carbon forming a daitive covalent bond
- the C=O pi bond breaks by heterolytic fission forming a negative intermediate
- this negative intermediate is protonated by water
what is the reaction for the alkylation of benzene
benzene + haloalkane –(AlCl3)–> alkyl benzene + HX
- react benzene with a haloalkane e.g. CH3Cl and a halogen carrier catalyst of AlCl3
- they react in an electrophilic substitution reaction to form benzene with an alkyl group on, in this case methyl benzene and HCl or a different hydrogen halide
what is the reaction for the acylation of benzene
Benzene + acyl chloride –(AlCl3)–> Ketone + HCl
AlCl3 acts as a halogen carrier catalyst
why don’t we want the nitrile group and what two reactions can we do to remove it
1) reduction of nitriles
2) hydrolysis of hydroxynitriles
what occurs in the reduction of nitriles
- nitriles are reduced to amines in a reaction with hydrogen and a nickel catalyst
e.g.
R - CN + 2H2 —(Ni)—> R-CH2-NH2
what occurs in the hydrolysis of nitriles/hydroxynitriles
R-CN + 2H2O + HCl(aq) —-> R-COOH + NH4Cl
heat with dilute aqueous acid under reflux
describe when we would use filtration under reduced pressure
- when separating a solid product form a solvent or liquid reaction mixture
what is the apparatus required for filtration under reduced pressure
- Buchner Flask
- Buchner Funnel
- Pressure tubing
- Filter paper
- Access to filter/vacuum pump
describe the method for filtration under reduced pressure
1) connect the end of the pressure tubing to vacuum outlet or filter pump and other end to Buchner flask
2) fit Buchner funnel to Buchner flask using rubber bung to ensure a tight fit
3) switch on vacuum pump or tap and check for good suction
4) place filter paper in funnel and dampen using the same solvent as was used in the preparation of the solution
5) slowly pour mixture into the centre of the funnel and rinse container
6) rinse crystals again using the solvent and leave to dry for a few mins
when would we use recrystallisation and what is the principle on which it works
- after filtration, the solid product will still have impurities, these can be removed via recrystallisation
- it works by the desired product and the impurities having different solubilities in the chosen solvent
describe the method for recrystallisation
1) pour a quantity of solvent into a conical flask, heat either in a water bath or over a Bunsen burner depending on its volatility
2) pour the impure sample into a clean conical flask/beaker
3) add the minimum amount of solvent required to dissolve the impure sample
4) once the solid has dissolved, allow to cool, wait for crystals to stop forming then filter crystals again under reduced pressure and leave to dry