4.4.1 Synthetic routes

• What are synthetic routes used for in chemistry?

  Chemical synthesis
• Match the key concept with its explanation:

  Synthetic Routes ↔️ Step-by-step sequence of reactions

  Organic Reactions ↔️ Chemical reactions involving organic compounds

  Efficiency ↔️ Maximizing yield and minimizing waste
• What is the primary difference between starting materials and target molecules?

  Reactants vs. end product
• Match the reagent with its reaction type:

  Oxidizing Agents ↔️ Oxidation

  Reducing Agents ↔️ Reduction

  Catalysts ↔️ Catalysis
• What type of reaction involves nucleophiles attacking positive centers?

  Nucleophilic Substitution
• Catalysts are consumed during a reaction

  False
• Starting materials are initial reactants
• What is the role of electrophiles in organic reactions?

  Accept electrons
• What are the starting materials and target molecules in the synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)?

  Salicylic acid to acetylsalicylic acid
• What is the goal of optimizing efficiency in a synthetic route?

  Maximize yield, minimize waste
• Which reagent is used as an acetylating agent in the synthesis of aspirin?

  Acetic anhydride
• The first step in designing a synthesis pathway is identifying the starting material
• Steps in designing a step-wise synthesis pathway

  1️⃣ Identify starting material

  2️⃣ Determine target molecule

  3️⃣ Select appropriate reagents

  4️⃣ Plan reaction sequence

  5️⃣ Optimize efficiency
• The availability of reagents affects the cost and accessibility of a synthesis
• What is the purpose of synthetic routes in organic chemistry?

  Plan and control transformations
• What are starting materials in a synthetic route?

  Initial reactants
• Reaction types describe the mechanisms of chemical reactions
• What is the role of oxidizing agents in organic reactions?

  Remove electrons
• Reaction Types describe the mechanisms
• What is the primary role of oxidizing agents in chemical reactions?

  Increase oxidation number
• Catalysts are consumed during chemical reactions.

  False
• Bromine (Br₂) acts as an electrophile in electrophilic addition reactions.
• What is the goal of designing a step-wise synthesis pathway?

  Transform starting material
• Match the key concepts with their benefits:

  Starting Material Selection ↔️ Ensures availability and cost-effectiveness

  Target Molecule Definition ↔️ Guides the synthesis towards the desired product

  Reagent Selection ↔️ Enables specific chemical transformations
• Acetic anhydride is used as an acetylating agent in the synthesis of aspirin.
• What is the purpose of evaluating the feasibility of a proposed synthesis?

  Determine its practicality
• Reaction yield is the percentage of starting material converted into product.
• Why is reagent availability an important factor in synthesis feasibility?

  Impacts cost and accessibility
• The complexity of steps and isolation procedures influences the process simplicity.
• Assessing feasibility allows chemists to optimize the efficiency of the overall synthesis.

  True
• Synthetic routes are essential for efficient and precise chemical synthesis
• Starting materials are the desired end products in a synthetic route

  False
• Starting materials may require fewer steps to transform
• Oxidizing agents increase the oxidation number of a compound


  True
• Oxidizing agents increase the oxidation number
• Why is planning synthetic routes essential in chemistry?

  Controlled transformations
• Ethanol can be oxidized to form ethanal


  True
• Steps in designing a step-wise synthesis pathway

  1️⃣ Identify Starting Material

  2️⃣ Determine Target Molecule

  3️⃣ Select Appropriate Reagents

  4️⃣ Plan Reaction Sequence

  5️⃣ Optimize Efficiency
• Acetic anhydride is used as an acetylating agent in the synthesis of aspirin
• The starting material for synthesizing acetylsalicylic acid is salicylic acid