mechanisms

• alkene --> poly(alkene)

  • high pressure
  • catalyst
• alkene --> dihalogenoalkane

  • Br2, Cl2
  • room temperature
  • electrophilic addition
• alkene --> alcohol

  acid catalysed addition (hydration)

  • step 1: H2SO4
  • electrophillic addition
  • step 2: H2O
  • warm
  • hydrolysis
• alkene --> halogenoalkane

  • HBr, HCl
  • room temperature
  • electrophilic addition
• dihalogenoalkane --> diol

  • KOH (aqueous)
  • heat under reflux
  • nucleophilic substitution
• alkane --> halogenoalkane


  • Br2, Cl2
  • UV light
  • free radical substitution
• halogenoalkane --> alkene

  • KOH (alcoholic)
  • heat under reflux
  • elimination
• halogenoalkane --> alcohol

  • KOH (aqueous)
  • heat under reflux
  • nucleophilic substitution
• halogenoalkane --> nitrile

  • KCN in ethanol
  • heat under reflux
  • nucleophilic substitution
• halogenoalkane --> primary amine

  • alcoholic NH3
  • heat under pressure
  • nucleophilic substitution
• alcohol --> alkene

  • conc H2SO4 or H3PO4
  • acid catalysed elimination
  • dehydration
• alcohol --> aldehyde

  if primary

  • acidified potassium dichromate
  • heat and distil
  • partial oxidation
• alcohol --> ketone

  if secondary

  • acidified potassium dichromate
  • heat
  • oxidation
• alcohol --> ester

  • carboxylic acid + H2SO4
  • heat
  • esterification
• nitrile --> primary amine

  • LiAlH4 in ether
  • reduction
• primary amine --> secondary/ tertiary amine/ quaternary salt

  • halogenoalkane
  • nucleophilic substitution
• primary amine --> secondary amide

  • acyl chloride
  • room temperature
  • nucleophilic addition-elimination
• aldehyde --> alcohol

  • NaBH4
  • reduction
  • nucleophilic addition
• ketone --> alcohol

  • NaBH4
  • reduction
  • nucleophilic addition
• aldehyde/ ketone --> hydroxynitrile

  • NaCN + H2SO4
  • nucleophilic addition
• aldehyde --> carboxylic acid

  if primary

  • acidified potassium dichromate
  • heat under reflux
  • excess oxidising agent
  • oxidation
• carboxylic acid --> ester

  • alcohol
  • H2SO4
  • heat
  • esterification
• acyl chloride/ acid anhydride --> carboxylic acid

  • H2O
  • room temperature
  • nucleophilic addition elimination
• acyl chloride/ acid anhydride --> ester

  • alcohol
  • room temperature
  • nucleophilic addition-elimination
• acyl chloride/ acid anhydride --> secondary amide

  • primary amide
  • room temperature
  • nucleophilic addition-elimination
• acyl chloride/ acid anhydride --> primary amide

  • NH3
  • room temperature
  • nucleophilic addition-elimination