Preparing Organic Compounds

Preparing Organic Compounds

Preparation of Alkanes

• Alkanes can be prepared from alkyl halides by reduction using hydrogen gas in the presence of a nickel catalyst, this process is known as hydrogenation.
• Alkanes can also be obtained through the decarboxylation of carboxylic acids. This requires the carboxylic acid to be heated with soda lime (NaOH + CaO).

Preparation of Alkenes

• Alkenes are usually prepared via the dehydration of alcohols, which involves the removal of a water molecule. This is often done by heating the alcohol with concentrated sulfuric acid.
• Alkenes can also be obtained from alkyl halides through a process known as dehydrohalogenation, involving the elimination of hydrogen halide.

Preparation of Alcohols

• Alcohols can be prepared by the hydration of alkenes
• Alcohols can also be prepared from aldehydes or ketones through reduction using suitable reducing agents like lithium aluminium hydride or sodium borohydride.

Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones

• Aldehydes and ketones can be prepared from primary and secondary alcohols, respectively, through oxidation. The most common oxidising agent used is acidified potassium dichromate.
• They can also be obtained through the process of ozonolysis of alkenes.

Preparation of Carboxylic acids

• Carboxylic acids can be prepared through the oxidation of primary alcohols or aldehydes. The oxidising agent used is usually acidified potassium dichromate.
• They can also be prepared from alkyl benzene via the process known as side chain oxidation.

Preparation of Amines

• Amines can be prepared by reduction of nitriles using lithium aluminium hydride.
• They can also be prepared from alkyl halides through nucleophilic substitution reactions using ammonia.

Remember, understanding these processes helps you understand the properties of these organic compounds too, as the methods of their preparation often reflect their chemical reactivity.