MD - Organic Synthesis

Question 1

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a carboxylic acid from an ester

Answer 1

Dilute acid heated under reflux

Question 2

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of an ester from a carboxylic acid

Answer 2

Alcohol and an acid catalyst, heated under reflux

Question 3

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a carboxylic acid from a primary amide

Answer 3

Dilute acid heated under reflux

Question 4

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a carboxylic acid from an aldehyde

Answer 4

Potassium Dichromate and Sulfuric Acid under reflux

Question 5

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a hydroxynitrile from an aldehyde

Answer 5

HCN and ethanol, under reflux in a fume cupboard

Question 6

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of an aldehyde from a primary alcohol

Answer 6

Potassium Dichromate and Sulfuric Acid, distilled

Question 7

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a carboxylic acid from a primary alcohol

Answer 7

Potassium Dichromate and Sulfuric Acid under reflux

Question 8

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of an alcohol from a bromoalkane

Answer 8

NaOH heated under reflux

Question 9

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a ketone from a secondary alcohol

Answer 9

Potassium Dichromate and Sulfuric Acid under reflux

Question 10

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a secondary alcohol from a ketone

Answer 10

Sodium Borohydride (NaBH₄) and heat

Question 11

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a primary amide from a bromoalkane

Answer 11

NH₃ dissolved in ethanol and heated under reflux

Question 12

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of N-substituted amides from primary amides

Answer 12

Acyl chloride

Question 13

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a bromoalkane from an alkene

Answer 13

HBr at 20°C

Question 14

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of an alkane from an alkene

Answer 14

H₂ (g)
Nickel catalyst at 150°C and high pressure
OR
Platinum catalyst at room temperature and pressure

Question 15

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a dibromoalkane from an alkene

Answer 15

Br₂ at 20°C

Question 16

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of an alkene from a primary alcohol

Answer 16

Concentrated sulfuric acid under reflux

Question 17

Give the reagents and conditions required for the synthesis of a primary alcohol from an alkene

Answer 17

Steam heated to 300°C with a H₃PO₄ catalyst

Question 18

Give the reagents and conditions required, and the products formed for the nitration of benzene

Answer 18

H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ at 55°C

Nitrobenzene

Question 19

Give the reagents and conditions required, and the products formed for the sulfonation of benzene

Answer 19

Fuming H₂SO₄ at 40°C

Benzenesulphonoic acid

Question 20

Give the reagents and conditions required, and the products formed for the acylation of benzene

Answer 20

RCOCl with an AlCl₃ catalyst under reflux

Aceylbenzene

Question 21

Give the reagents and conditions required, and the products formed for the chlorination of benzene

Answer 21

Cl₂ with an AlCl₃ catalyst gently heated

Chlorobenzene

Question 22

Give the reagents and conditions required, and the products formed for the alkylation of benzene

Answer 22

RCl with an AlCl₃ catalyst under reflux

Alkylbenzene

Question 23

Give the 2 step process (including reactants and conditions) for the synthesis of an Azo compound from aminobenzene

Answer 23

1) Aminobenze + HNO₂ + HCl at

Question 24

Give the conditions and product for the reaction between phenol and acetylchloride

Answer 24

20°C

Forms Phenyl Ethanoate

Question 25

Give the conditions and product for the reaction between phenol and NaOH

Answer 25

20°C

Forms Sodium Phenoxide

Question 26

Define retrosynthesis

Answer 26

Planning organic synthesis backwards, starting with the target product