Organic synthesis

• What is the purpose of organic synthesis?

  To convert starting materials into a target compound.
• What are synthesis pathways used for in organic synthesis?

  They are used to achieve multistep pathways for converting materials.
• What factors must a chemist consider when designing a synthetic pathway?

  Product yield, reaction conditions, catalysts, reagents, process type, hazards, cost, and isomer formation.
• What principle is related to product yield in organic synthesis?

  Le Chatelier’s principle.
• Why is it important to maximize yield in organic synthesis?

  To maximize profits from the product.
• What are two reasons why the yield of an individual step may be low?

  Product is left in the reaction mixture or the reaction is incomplete or irreversible.
• What is essential to understand for organic synthesis?

  The structures of all functional groups.
• What is an example of an oxidizing agent in organic synthesis?

  Acidified potassium dichromate.
• What does acidified potassium dichromate oxidize primary alcohols to?

  Aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids.
• How can you prevent an aldehyde from being oxidized to a carboxylic acid?

  By using an excess of alcohol and distilling the aldehyde off once formed.
• What does sodium borohydride (NaBH4) do in organic synthesis?

  Reduces a carbonyl group C=O to an alcohol group C-OH.
• What is a dehydrating agent?

  An agent that removes water (H2O) from a molecule.
• What is one example of a dehydrating agent?

  Al2O3 or acid-catalyzed elimination by H3PO4.
• What are organic synthesis maps used for?

  • They provide an overview of conditions and reagents for converting functional groups.
  • They show links between functional groups requiring several steps.
  • They indicate the type of mechanism the reaction proceeds by.

  
• What are the four key reactions in aromatic synthesis?

  1. Acylation of benzene to a phenylketone
  2. Nitration of benzene to nitrobenzene
  3. Reduction of nitrobenzene to an aromatic amine
  4. Conversion of an aromatic amine to an aromatic amide using an acyl halide
• What is required to answer exam questions on organic synthesis?

  You need to suggest reagents, reaction conditions, identify intermediates, draw mechanisms, and suggest products.
• How many steps can synthesis pathways have in organic synthesis?

  Up to 4 steps.
• What should a chemist consider regarding hazards in organic synthesis?

  Hazards with the reagents or conditions used.
• Why is the reactivity of functional groups important in organic synthesis?

  It includes the presence of other functional groups on reactants or reagents and catalysts.

  
• What is the role of a catalyst in organic synthesis?

  A catalyst is used to speed up the reaction without being consumed.
• What is the significance of stereospecificity in drug targets?

  Many drug targets are enzymes that will only react with one enantiomer.
• How does the process type (batch or continuous) affect organic synthesis?

  It determines whether the reaction mixture needs to be purified before adding the next reactant.
• What is the main goal of organic synthesis in terms of product?

  To produce a specific target compound efficiently.
• What is the importance of knowing the structures of functional groups in organic synthesis?

  It helps in understanding how to convert one functional group to another.

  
• How can the formation of isomers impact organic synthesis?

  It can affect the selectivity of reactions, especially with stereospecific enzymes.