Mechanisms - Chemistry AQA

Alkene to Polyalkene

Condition = High pressure + Catalyst Mechanism = addition polymerisation

Dihalogenoalkane to Diol

Reagent = aqueous KOH Condition = heat under reflux Mechanism = nucleophilic substitution

Alkene to Alcohol

STEP 1 Reagent = H2SO4 Condition = concentrated Mechanism = electrophilic addition STEP 2 Reagent = H2O Condition = warm Mechanism = hydrolysis

Alcohol to Alkene

Reagent = H2SO4/H3PO4 Condition = concentrated Mechanism = elimination, dehydration

Alkene to Halogenoalkane

Reagent = HBr/HCl Condition = room temp. Mechanism = electrophilic addition

Halogenoalkane to Alkene

Reagent = KOH in ethanol Condition = heat under reflux Mechanism = elimination

Alcohol to Aldehyde

Reagent = acidified K2Cr2O7 Condition = heat and distill Mechanism = partial oxidation

Alcohol to Ketone

**(if alcohol is secondary)** Reagent = acidified K2Cr2O7 Condition = heat Mechanism = oxidation

Halogenoalkane to Nitrile

Reagent = KCN in ethanol Condition = heat under reflux Mechanism = nucleophilic substitution

Halogenoalkane to Primary Amine

Reagent = alcoholic NH3 Condition = heat under pressure Mechanism = nucleophilic substitution

Primary Amine to Secondary & Tertiary Amine and Quaternary Salt

Reagent = haloalkane Condition = excess primary amine Mechanism = nucleophilic substitution

Primary Amine to Secondary Amide

Reagent = acyl chloride Condition = room temp. Mechanism = nucleophilic addition elimination

Aldehdye/Ketone to Hydroxynitrile

Reagent = KCN + H2SO4 Condition = dilute H2SO4 Mechanism = nucleophilic addition

Aldehyde to Carboxylic Acid

Reagent = excess acidified K2Cr2O7 Condition = heat under reflux Mechanism = oxidation

Carboxylic Acid to Ester

Reagent = alcohol + H2SO4 Condition = heat under reflux Mechanism = esterification

Alcohol to Ester

Reagent = carboxylic acid + H2SO4 Condition = heat under reflux Mechanism = esterification

Acyl Chloride to Ester

Reagent = alcohol Condition = room temp. Mechanism = nucleophilic addition elimination

Acyl Chloride to Carboxylic Acid

Reagent = H2O Condition = room temp Mechanism = hydrolysis

Acyl Chloride to Primary Amide

Reagent = NH3 Condition = room temp. Mechanism = nucleophilic addition elimination

Acyl Chloride to Secondary Amide

Reagent = primary amine Condition = room temp. Mechanism = nucleophilic addition elimination

Nitrile to Primary Amine

Reagent = LiAlH4 Condition = in ether Mechanism = reduction or Nitrile vapour and Hydrogen gas are passed over a nickel catalyst. Also called reduction!