Secondary Alcohols to Ketones
NaOCl/H2O or Na2Cr2O7/H2SO₄; alternatives include DMP reagent, PCC, and Swern oxidation.
Primary Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids
Excess NaOCl/TEMPO or Na2Cr2O7/H2SO4
Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes
Controlled oxidation with PCC or DMP reagent, Swern, NaOCl/Tempo
Reduction of Alcohols to Alkanes
(1) TsCl/pyridine (2) LiAlH₄
Primary/Secondary Alcohols to Alkyl Halides
HCl or SOCl₂/pyridine, PBr₃, or PI₂
Tertiary Alcohols to Alkyl Halides
HCl, HBr, and HI work well. (SN1 REACTION)
Dehydration of Alcohols to form Alkenes
H₂SO₄ or H₃PO₄
Industrial Condensation of Alcohols to form Ethers
Acid catalysis (H⁺)
Cleavage of the Hydroxy Proton - Tosylation
TsCl followed by pyridine
Deprotonation to form an Alkoxide
NaH
Williamson Ether Synthesis
Alkoxide ion (from alcohol) reacts with a primary alkyl halide
Fisher Esterification
alcohol + carboxylic acid = ester
Esterification with acid chloride
Acid chloride + R-OH
Adding Cl to primary alcohol
ADD ZNCL2 TO SPEED IT UP (SN1 REACTION FOR TERTIARY AND SECONDARY)
Stereoinversion and retention
PBr3 P/I2 are stereoinversion while SOCl