Mechanisms and Reagents

• Alkene -> Alkane


  • H+ and Nickel catalyst
  • 150 degrees
  • Electrophillic addition
• Alkane -> Haloalkane


  • Halogen
  • U.V. light
  • Radical substitution
• Haloalkane -> Amine

  • NH3 / ethanol
  • Heat in a sealed tube
  • Nucleophillic substituation
• Haloalkane -> Nitrile

  • CN- / ethanol
  • Heat under reflux
  • Nucleophillic substitution
• Nitrile -> Carboxylic acid

  • H2O / HCl
  • Heat under reflux
  • Hydrolysis
• Haloalkane -> Alcohol


  • aqueous NaOH
  • Heat under reflux
  • Nucleophillic substitution
• Alcohol -> Haloalkane 


  • H2SO4
  • Heat under reflux
  • Nucleophilic substitution
• Alcohol -> Alkene

  • H₃PO₄ / H₂SO₄
  • Heat under reflux
  • Elimination reaction
• Alcohol -> Aldehyde

  • Primary alcohols
  • [Cr₂O₇]²⁻
  • Distillation
  • Oxidation reaction
• Aldehyde -> Alcohol

  • NaBa₄
  • Reduction
• Alcohol -> Ketone

  • Tertiary alcohols
  • [Cr₂O₇]²⁻
  • Heat under reflux
  • Oxidation reaction
• Aldehyde -> Carboxylic acid

  • Secondary alcohols
  • [Cr₂O₇]²⁻
  • Heat under reflux
  • Oxidation reaction
• Alkene -> Haloalkane


  • Hydrogen halide
  • Room temperature
  • Electrophillic addition