16.2 Synthetic Routes

• Alkanes become haloalkanes when exposed to UV light with halogens
• Alkenes react with halogens or hydrogen halides to form haloalkanes
• Alkenes react with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel catalyst to form alkanes
• Alkenes are polymerised to form poly(alkenes)
• Alkenes react with steam in the presence of phosphoric acid catalyst to form alcohols
• Alcohols react with sodium halide in the presence of sulfuric acid to form haloalkanes
• Alcohols react with concentrated sulfuric acid to form alkenes
• Primary alcohols when distilled in the presence of acidified potassium dichromate forms an aldehyde
• Primary alcohols when heated under reflux with acidified potassium dichromate forms carboxylic acids
• Secondary alcohols when heated under reflux with acidified potassium dichromate form ketones
• Haloalkanes react with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form alcohols
• Two-stage synthesis

  • First identify the functional groups in the starting organic material and the final organic product
  • Work out the intermediate that links the two stages of the synthetic route using reagents and conditions required