VCE Chemistry Organic Reaction Pathways (VCE Chemistry Unit 4)

Substitution, aqueous NaOH (OH⁻), no catalyst

Reaction type:

Haloalkane → Alkanol (not catalyzed)

substitution of H2O, catalyst (unspecified)

Reaction type:

Haloalkane → Alkanol (catalyzed - lesser used)

addition of H₂, catalyst Ni

Reaction type:

Alkene → Alkane

Addition/addition polymerization, catalyst (unspecified)

Reaction type:

Alkene → Poly(alkene)

Addition of halogen (eg Cl₂), NO catalyst

Reaction type:

Alkene → Dihaloalkane

Addition of halide (eg HCl), no catalyst

Reaction type:

Alkene → Haloalkane

Acidified (H+) strong oxidant (MnO₄⁻ (permanganate) or Cr₂O₇²⁻ (dichromate))

low temperature and short reaction time to avoid further oxidation

Reaction type:

Primary Alkanol → Aldehyde

Acidified (H+) strong oxidant, MnO₄⁻ (permanganate) or Cr₂O₇²⁻ (dichromate)

Reaction type:

Secondary Alkanol → Ketone

Acidified (H+) strong oxidant, MnO₄⁻ (permanganate) or Cr₂O₇²⁻ (dichromate), heat (warm temperature)

Reaction type:

Aldehyde → Carboxylic Acid

Acidified (H+) strong oxidant MnO₄⁻ (permanganate) or Cr₂O₇²⁻ (dichromate), heat (warm temperature) and longer reaction time to favour formation of carboxylic acid over aldehyde

Reaction type:

Primary Alkanol → Carboxylic Acid

Addition of steam (H₂O), catalyst of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and high temperature (300 ̊C). Gas phase reaction.

Reaction type:

Alkene → Alkanol

Substitution of Halogen (Cl₂), catalyst of UV light. Further substitutions can occur if sufficient halogens are present.

Reaction type:

Alkane → Haloalkane

Condensation/Esterification, catalyst: concentrated H2SO4

Reaction type:

Carboxylic acid + Alcohol → Ester + water

Substitution reaction, reagent is ammonia

Haloalkane → Amine

Hydrolysis with H₂O, heat and catalyst of alkali or dilute acid.

Ester + water → Carboxylic acid + Alcohol