What is a synthetic route?

A synthetic route shows how you get from one compound to another. It shows all the reactions with the intermediate products, and the reagents needed for each reaction.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alkane to form a halogenoalkane.

The reaction requires a halogen and UV light.

The type of reaction is free radical substitution.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alcohol to form an alkene.

The reaction requires heat and a concentrated acid catalyst e.g. H2SO4,

The type of reaction is elimination.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alcohol to form an aldehyde.

The reaction requires a primary alcohol, K2Cr2O7, sulfuric acid, and heat in a distillation apparatus.

The type of reaction is oxidation.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alcohol to form a carboxylic acid.

The reaction requires a primary alcohol, K2Cr2O7, sulfuric acid, and heat under reflux.

The type of reaction is oxidation.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alkene to form an alcohol.

The reaction requires steam, H3PO4 catalyst, a temperature of 300°C, and a pressure of 60 atm.

The type of reaction is electrophilic addition.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alkene to form a halogenoalkane.

The reaction requires a halogen (or a hydrogen halide) and room temperature.

The type of reaction is electrophilic addition.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of an alcohol to form a ketone.

The reaction requires a secondary alcohol, K2Cr2O7, sulfuric acid, and heat under reflux.

The type of reaction is oxidation.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of a halogenoalkane to form an alcohol.

The reaction requires warm aqueous NaOH, and heat under reflux.

The type of reaction is nucleophilic substitution.

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How are nitriles formed from halogenoalkanes?

Nitriles can be formed by heating halogenoalkanes with potassium cyanide in ethanol.


For example, chloroethane reacts with KCN to produce propanenitrile:

CH3CH2Cl + KCN ➔ CH3CH2CN + KCl 

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of a halogenoalkane to form an amine.

The reaction requires concentrated ammonia in ethanol and heat under pressure

The type of reaction is nucleophilic substitution.

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Describe the conditions and name the mechanism for the reaction of a halogenoalkane to form an alkene.

The reaction requires KOH in ethanol and heat under reflux.

The type of reaction is elimination.

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