Textbook Question
a. Show the reagents required to form the primary alcohol in each of the following reactions.
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols
Alcohol Synthesis
2:22 minutesProblem 62
Textbook Question
Starting with formaldehyde and the alkyl halides shown as the only sources of carbon, provide a synthesis of the following alcohol.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Begin by identifying the target alcohol structure from the image. The alcohol has a hydroxyl group on each end of a carbon chain with a ketone group in the middle. This suggests a synthesis involving multiple carbon-carbon bond formations.
Step 2: Use formaldehyde as the starting material. Formaldehyde can be used to form primary alcohols through reactions such as the Grignard reaction. Consider how formaldehyde can be converted into a longer carbon chain using alkyl halides.
Step 3: Plan the synthesis by considering the formation of the carbon backbone. You can use alkyl halides to extend the carbon chain. For example, a Grignard reagent can be formed from an alkyl halide, which can then react with formaldehyde to form a primary alcohol.
Step 4: Once the carbon chain is extended, introduce the ketone group. This can be done by oxidizing a secondary alcohol to a ketone using an oxidizing agent like PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate).
Step 5: Finally, ensure the hydroxyl groups are correctly positioned on the carbon chain. This may involve additional reactions such as protection/deprotection strategies or further Grignard reactions to achieve the desired alcohol structure.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Formaldehyde as a Carbon Source
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is the simplest aldehyde and serves as a versatile carbon source in organic synthesis. It can participate in various reactions, such as nucleophilic additions, where it can react with nucleophiles to form alcohols. Understanding its reactivity is crucial for constructing complex molecules from simpler ones.
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Alkyl Halides in Synthesis
Alkyl halides are organic compounds containing a carbon-halogen bond, which can undergo nucleophilic substitution or elimination reactions. They are important intermediates in organic synthesis, allowing for the introduction of functional groups or the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds. Recognizing how to manipulate these compounds is essential for constructing desired alcohols.
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Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
Nucleophilic addition reactions involve the attack of a nucleophile on an electrophilic carbon atom, such as that in carbonyl compounds like aldehydes. This reaction is fundamental in organic chemistry for forming alcohols from carbonyl precursors. Understanding the mechanism and conditions for these reactions is vital for successful synthesis.
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