Key Reactions and Conditions Refresher

Question 1

Describe the reactants and conditions for diazotisation, and briefly describe the diazonium functional group

Answer 1

An aromatic amine is dissolved in dilute HCl
A cold solution of sodium nitrite (III) is added
The temperature is kept below 5 degrees C

The diazonium functional group is two triple bonded nitrogens, with one bonded to a carbon. The nitrogen bonded to the carbon has + 1 positive charge

Question 2

Describe the reactants and conditions for the chlorination of benzene

Answer 2

Aluminium chloride catalyst (Al2Cl3)
Anhydrous (or the Al2Cl3 reacts violently)
RTP
(HCl given off)

Question 3

Describe the reactants and conditions for the bromination of benzene

Answer 3

Iron (III) bromide (FeBr3) catalyst, formed in situ
Heat required
(HBr given off)

Question 4

Describe the reactants and conditions for nitration

Answer 4

Concentrated nitric acid
Concentrated sulphuric acid
Temperature below 55 degrees C

Question 5

Describe the reactants and conditions for sulfonation

Answer 5

Heated with conc. sulphuric acid for several hours

SO3(-) group added

Question 6

Describe the reactants and conditions for alkylation and acylation

Answer 6

Anhydrous AlCL3, as with chlorination, since using chloroalkane/acyl chloride
Heat under reflux for alkylation
Textbook mentions no further conditions for acylation, but apparently you heat under reflux too

Question 7

Describe the reactants and conditions for hydration

Answer 7

Phosphoric acid catalyst adsorbed onto solid silica for the catalyst
High pressure/temperature
Add steam

Question 8

Describe the reactants and conditions for hydrogenation

Answer 8

Platinum catalyst, RTP
or
Nickel catalyst, 150 degrees C and 5 ATM

Question 9

Describe the reactants and conditions for dehydrogenation

Answer 9

Al2O3 aluminium oxide catalyst, 300 degrees C

Question 10

Describe the reactants and conditions for esterification of an alcohol and carboxylic acid

Answer 10

Strong acid catalyst to speed up the reaction (sulfuric or hydrochloric), heated under reflux

Question 11

Describe the reactants and conditions for esterification of an alcohol and acid anhydride

Answer 11

Warm together (note: higher yield than other methods due to complete reaction)

Question 12

Describe the reactants and conditions for ester hydrolysis

Answer 12

Heat the water with an alkali catalyst (NaOH)

Question 13

Describe the reactants and conditions for the formation of an amine

Answer 13

Haloalkane and conc. ammonia (aq)

Heat in a sealed tube

Question 14

Describe the reactants and conditions for forming a haloalkane from an alcohol

Answer 14

Concentrated acid catalyst, add halogen
(Acid protonates the hydroxyl group, causes the carbon to become more partially positive, allows halide ion to attach to it through NS)