A - Organic Synthesis

Question 1

Does the synthesis of an organic compound always involve one step?

Answer 1

No, it can involve several steps.

Question 2

Why do chemists aim to design processes that do not require a solvent?

Answer 2

It’s a way to reduce both the hazards associated with a process and the amount of waste created by a synthesis route.

Solvents are often flammable and toxic and so can pose safety risks.

If a solvent has to be disposed of after a reaction, it can create a lot of waste.

Question 3

Why do chemists aim to design processes that use non-hazardous starting materials?

Answer 3

To limit the potential for accidents and environmental damage.

Question 4

Why do chemists aim to design production methods with fewer steps that have a high percentage atom economy?

Answer 4

They convert more of the starting materials into useful products, in turn, reducing waste.

Question 5

How can you work out a scheme to convert a starting material into a target molecule?

Answer 5

Write down all the compounds which can be made from the starting material, A, and all the ways in which the target molecule, X, can be prepared.

You should then be able to see the route from A to X.

Question 6

What do you need to know to identify an organic compound?

Answer 6

The functional groups present.

Question 7

What questions can you ask to try to identify an organic compound?

Answer 7

1. Is the compound acidic? (Suggests carboxylic acid).
2. Is the compound solid (suggests long C chain or ionic bonding), liquid (suggest medium C chain or polar or H bonding), or gas (suggests short C chain, little or no polarity).
3. Does the compound dissolve in water (suggests polar groups) or not (suggests non-polar groups).