Synthetic routes

Alkene to dihaloalkane

Electrophilic addition, X_2,

Alkene to alkane

Electrophilic addition, nickel catalyst, H₂

Alkane to chloroalkane

Radical substitution, UV light, X₂

Haloalkane to alcohol

Nucleophilic substitution, NaOH, reflux

Alcohol to haloalkane

Nucleophilic substitution, acid e.g. H₃PO₄ (NOT A CATALYST), NaX, reflux

Alkene to chloroalkane

Electrophilic addition, HCl

Alkene to alcohol

Steam, acid catalyst e.g. H₃PO₄

Alcohol to alkene

Elimination ( of H₂O ), heat, acid catalyst e.g. H₃PO₄

Alcohol to aldehyde

Oxidation, distil primary alcohol, K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄

Alcohol to carboxylic acid

Oxidation, reflux primary alcohol, K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄

Alcohol to ketone

Oxidation, reflux secondary alcohol, K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄

carboxylic acid + alcohol =

ester + water, esterification, acid catalyst e.g. concentrated H₂SO₄

acid anhydride + alcohol =

ester + carboxylic acid, esterification

acid hydrolysis of ester

produces carboxylic acid + alcohol, requires reflux + aqueous acid

alkali hydrolysis of ester

produces carboxylate salt + alcohol, requires reflux + aqueous alkali

carboxylic acid + SOCl₂ =

acyl chloride + HCL + SO₂

acyl chloride to carboxylic acid

requires water, forms carboxylic acid + HCL

acyl chloride to ester

requires alcohol, forms ester + HCL

acyl chloride to primary amide

requires concentrated ammonia, forms primary amide + HCL

acyl chloride to secondary amide

requires primary amide, forms secondary amide + HCL