Organic Synthesis

• What is organic synthesis

  Using a reaction mechanism to create a target molecule from a starting molecule
• Why do you try and keep the number of steps as low as possible

  To improve the percentage yield of the final product
• What could cause the yield of an individual step to be low

  • Product left in reaction mixture each time
  • Incomplete or reversible reactions
• What is the main oxidising agent used in organic chemistry

  • ACIDIFIED potassium dichromate (VI) K2CR2O7
  • H2SO4
• What are PRIMARY ALCOHOLS OXIDISED to

  • Aldehydes then to carboxylic acids
• What are SECONDARY ALCOHOLS OXIDISED to

  Ketones
• What are the three main reducing agents used in organic chemistry

  • NaBH4 -> It reduces C=O -> Its H- attacks C+
  • H2/Ni -> Reduces C=C
  • Tin/HCl -> Reduces No2 to NH2
• What are the two main dehydrating agents used

  • Al2O3 -> Vapours passed over it
  • Acid-catalysed elimination by H3PO4
• What does a compound being solid indicate

  LONG C chain or IONIC
• What does a compound being liquid indicate

  MEDIUM c chain or POLAR BONDING or HYDROGEN bonding
• What does a compound being a gas indicate

  SHORT carbon chain or NON-POLAR BOND
• What does being soluble in water indicate about a compound

  Suggests the compound has POLAR bonds
• What does being insoluble in water indicate about a compound

  Suggests the compound has NONPOLAR groups
• What does a smoky flame when burnt suggest

  • High C:H ratio
  • Possibly aromatic
• What does a non-smoky flame suggest

  • Low C:H ratio
  • NOT aromatic
• If an excess of a PRIMARY amine is reacted with bromomethane, what is the product

  • RNHCH3 -> only one substitution as amine is in EXCESS
• ..