Question

How can these conversions be done? Give chemical equations only.
(i) Propan-2-ol from propene (ii) Benzyl alcohol from benzyl chloride (iii) Propan-1-ol from ethyl magnesium chloride (iv) 2-methyl propan-2-ol from methyl magnesium bromide (v) Picric acid from phenol

Hint:

In organic reactions, always consider the reagent and the conditions (e.g., acid/base, temperature, catalysts) that affect the outcome of the conversion. Reactions like nucleophilic substitution and electrophilic substitution play key roles in organic transformations.

Answer 1

(i) Propan-2-ol from propene:
Propene can be converted into propan-2-ol by hydration in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction is as follows: \[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH=CH}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{CH}_3\text{CH(OH)CH}_3 \] (ii) Benzyl alcohol from benzyl chloride:
Benzyl chloride can be converted into benzyl alcohol by hydrolysis, which involves a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The reaction is as follows: \[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_2\text{Cl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_2\text{OH} + \text{HCl} \] (iii) Propan-1-ol from ethyl magnesium chloride:
Ethyl magnesium chloride reacts with water (hydrolysis) to form propan-1-ol. The reaction is as follows: \[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{MgCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} + \text{MgCl}_2 \] (iv) 2-methyl propan-2-ol from methyl magnesium bromide:
Methyl magnesium bromide reacts with water to form 2-methyl propan-2-ol. The reaction is as follows: \[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{MgBr} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{C(OH)(CH}_3\text{)CH}_3 + \text{MgBr}_2 \] (v) Picric acid from phenol:
Picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol) can be synthesized from phenol by nitration with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The reaction is as follows: \[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{OH} + 3\text{HNO}_3 \xrightarrow{\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{C}_6\text{H}_2(\text{NO}_2)_3\text{OH} \]