How can an alkene be converted to a primary alcohol using a multi-step route?
Use hydration followed by reduction.
Acid-catalysed hydration forms alcohol; hydroboration–oxidation gives anti-Markovnikov products.
How can a halogenoalkane be converted into a nitrile, and what is the benefit of this reaction?
Nucleophilic substitution with CN⁻
Extends carbon chain by one carbon; useful for synthesis design.
What conditions are required to convert a primary alcohol into a carboxylic acid?
Oxidation under reflux
Acidified dichromate fully oxidises the alcohol when heated under reflux.
What reagents can be used to reduce a nitrile to a primary amine?
H₂/Ni or LiAlH₄
Produces a primary amine with one additional carbon.
True or False:
Reflux conditions are used when complete oxidation of a primary alcohol is required.
True
Reflux prevents loss of aldehyde intermediates, allowing full oxidation.
How can an alcohol be converted into a halogenoalkane?
Substitution with HX or PCl₅
The OH group is replaced by a halogen via nucleophilic substitution.
How can an aldehyde be produced from a primary alcohol without further oxidation?
Controlled oxidation with distillation
Immediate removal of the aldehyde prevents further oxidation.
True or False:
A catalyst changes the equilibrium position in organic synthesis reactions.
False
Catalysts increase rate but do not affect equilibrium position.
What reagents are used to convert benzene into nitrobenzene?
Nitration with HNO₃/H₂SO₄
Electrophilic substitution introduces a NO₂ group.
How can a nitro compound be converted into an amine?
Reduction with Sn/HCl or H₂/Ni
Reduces NO₂ group to NH₂.
True or False:
Cyanide ions act as electrophiles in organic synthesis.
False
CN⁻ is a nucleophile that donates an electron pair.
How can the carbon chain be increased by one carbon in organic synthesis?
CN⁻ substitution
Forms a nitrile intermediate for further reactions.
Which reagent is used to convert an alcohol into an alkene?
Concentrated H₂SO₄
Dehydration (elimination) removes water to form an alkene.
True or False:
Elimination reactions always require aqueous conditions.
False
They typically require hot ethanolic conditions.
What reagent and conditions convert an alkene into a diol?
Cold KMnO₄
Forms a vicinal diol by oxidation across the double bond.
How is an ester formed from a carboxylic acid?
Esterification with alcohol and acid catalyst
A reversible reaction producing ester and water.
True or False:
Esterification reactions are irreversible under all conditions.
False
Esterification is reversible; equilibrium can be shifted.
What type of reaction converts an aldehyde into an alcohol?
Reduction
Commonly carried out using NaBH₄.
How can a halogenoalkane be converted into an alcohol?
Hydrolysis with aqueous OH⁻
Nucleophilic substitution replaces halogen with OH.
True or False:
Distillation is preferred over reflux when preventing further oxidation.
True
Distillation removes the product before further reaction can occur.
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2.1 Atoms, Compounds, Molecules & Equations50
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2.2 Amount of Substance47
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2.3 Acid–Base69
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2.4 Electrons, Bonding and Structure90
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3.1 Periodicity22
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3.2 Group 2 and Halogens55
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3.3 Qualitative Analysis39
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3.4 Enthalpy Changes62
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3.5 Reaction Rates (Qualitative)55
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3.6 Equilibrium (Qualitative)24
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4.1 Basic Organic Chemistry Concepts42
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4.2 Hydrocarbons85
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4.3 Alcohols and Haloalkanes79
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4.4 Organic Synthesis12
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4.5 Analytical Techniques (IR & MS)36
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5.1 Reaction Rates (Quantitative)24
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5.2 Equilibrium (Quantitative)12
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5.3 pH and Buffers15
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5.4 Enthalpy, Entropy & Free Energy27
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5.5 Redox & Electrode Potentials63
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5.6 Transition Elements95
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6.1 Aromatic Compounds29
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6.2 Carbonyl Compounds20
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6.3 Carboxylic Acids & Esters25
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6.4 Nitrogen Compounds102
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6.5 Polymers24
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6.6 Organic Synthesis (Advanced)20
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6.7 Chromatography & Spectroscopy (NMR)26
