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Ch. 17 - Carbonyl Addition Reactions: Aldehydes and Ketones
Mullins - Organic Chemistry: A Learner Centered Approach 1st Edition
Mullins1st EditionOrganic Chemistry: A Learner Centered ApproachISBN: 9780137566471Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 16, Problem 66d

Suggest a synthetic scheme, involving a protecting group, to generate the molecule shown starting with the molecule at the left.
(d) Synthetic scheme showing the transformation of an alcohol to a carbonyl compound with protecting groups indicated.

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Identify the functional groups in the starting material and the target molecule. The starting material is a secondary alcohol, and the target molecule is an aldehyde with an additional carbon chain.
Recognize that the primary alcohol in the starting material needs to be protected to prevent it from reacting during the oxidation step. Use a protecting group such as a silyl ether (e.g., TBSCl) to protect the alcohol.
Perform a Grignard reaction to extend the carbon chain. First, convert the terminal alkene to a Grignard reagent using magnesium in dry ether. Then, react it with formaldehyde to introduce an additional carbon and form a primary alcohol.
Oxidize the newly formed primary alcohol to an aldehyde using a mild oxidizing agent such as PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate).
Finally, remove the protecting group from the original alcohol using a fluoride source like TBAF (Tetrabutylammonium fluoride) to regenerate the free alcohol group.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Protecting Groups

Protecting groups are temporary modifications used in organic synthesis to prevent certain functional groups from reacting during a chemical transformation. They allow chemists to selectively modify other parts of a molecule without interference. After the desired reactions are completed, the protecting group can be removed to restore the original functional group.
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Synthetic Pathway

A synthetic pathway is a series of chemical reactions designed to convert starting materials into a desired product. It involves strategic planning to determine the order of reactions, the choice of reagents, and the conditions required for each step. Understanding the synthetic pathway is crucial for efficiently synthesizing complex molecules.
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Functional Group Interconversion

Functional group interconversion refers to the process of transforming one functional group into another within a molecule. This concept is essential in organic synthesis as it allows chemists to modify the reactivity and properties of a compound. Mastery of various reactions that facilitate these conversions is key to designing effective synthetic routes.
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