Textbook Question
Predict the major products formed when benzene reacts (just once) with the following reagents.
(j) nitric acid + sulfuric acid
718
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Ch. 17 - Reactions of Aromatic Compounds
Wade9th EditionOrganic ChemistryISBN: 9780135213728
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Structure and Bonding107
- Ch. 2 - Acids and Bases; Functional Groups115
- Ch.3 - Structure and Stereochemistry of Alkanes100
- Ch.4 - The Study of Chemical Reactions99
- Ch.5 - Stereochemistry93
- Ch.6 - Alkyl Halides; Nucleophilic Substitution118
- Ch. 7 - Structure and Synthesis of Alkenes; Elimination158
- Ch.8 - Reactions of Alkenes171
- Ch.9 - Alkynes91
- Ch.10 - Structure and Synthesis of Alcohols143
- Ch.11 - Reactions of Alcohols104
- Ch. 12 - Infrared Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry22
- Ch. 13 - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy45
- Ch. 14 - Ethers, Epoxides, and Thioethers72
- Ch. 15 - Conjugated Systems, Orbital Symmetry, and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy89
- Ch. 16 - Aromatic Compounds74
- Ch. 17 - Reactions of Aromatic Compounds126
- Ch. 18 - Ketones and Aldehydes193
- Ch. 19 - Amines129
- Ch. 20 - Carboxylic Acids77
- Ch. 21 - Carboxylic Acid Derivatives141
- Ch. 22 - Condensations and Alpha Substitutions of Carbonyl Compounds175
- Ch. 23 - Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids93
- Ch. 24 - Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins54
Chapter 17, Problem 52b
Show how you would synthesize the following compounds, starting with benzene or toluene and any necessary acyclic reagents. Assume para is the major product (and separable from ortho) in ortho, para mixtures.
b. 1-phenyl-1-methoxybutane
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Begin with toluene as the starting material. Toluene is benzene with a methyl group attached, which will serve as the foundation for the synthesis.
Step 2: Perform a Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction to introduce a butyl group at the para position relative to the methyl group. Use butyl chloride (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl) and AlCl₃ as the catalyst. This reaction will yield para-butyl toluene as the major product.
Step 3: Oxidize the methyl group on the toluene ring to a carboxylic acid group using a strong oxidizing agent like KMnO₄ or Na₂Cr₂O₇ under acidic conditions. This converts the methyl group into a benzoic acid derivative.
Step 4: Reduce the carboxylic acid group to a primary alcohol using a reducing agent such as LiAlH₄. This step transforms the benzoic acid derivative into benzyl alcohol.
Step 5: Perform a Williamson ether synthesis to introduce the methoxy group. React benzyl alcohol with sodium hydride (NaH) to form the alkoxide ion, then react it with methyl iodide (CH₃I) to produce 1-phenyl-1-methoxybutane.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS)
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring. This process is crucial for synthesizing complex aromatic compounds, as it allows for the introduction of various functional groups. Understanding the mechanism of EAS, including the role of activating and deactivating groups, is essential for predicting the outcomes of reactions starting from benzene or toluene.
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EAS Review
Reactivity of Aromatic Compounds
The reactivity of aromatic compounds, such as benzene and toluene, is influenced by the presence of substituents on the ring. Electron-donating groups (EDGs) enhance the reactivity towards electrophiles, while electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) decrease it. In the context of synthesizing 1-phenyl-1-methoxybutane, recognizing how substituents affect the regioselectivity of EAS is vital, especially since para products are favored in this scenario.
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Synthesis of Alkoxy Compounds
The synthesis of alkoxy compounds involves the introduction of an alkoxy group (-O-R) into an organic molecule, often through reactions like nucleophilic substitution or EAS. In this case, the methoxy group can be introduced via a methanol reaction with a suitable electrophile. Understanding the conditions and reagents required for effective alkoxy group installation is key to successfully synthesizing the target compound from benzene or toluene.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Predict the major products of the following reactions.
(a) 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene + NaOCH3
1545
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Textbook Question
Predict the major products of the following reactions.
(c) nitrobenzene + fuming sulfuric acid
1602
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Textbook Question
Show how you would synthesize the following compounds, starting with benzene or toluene and any necessary acyclic reagents. Assume para is the major product (and separable from ortho) in ortho, para mixtures.
a. 1-phenyl-1-bromobutane
1729
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Textbook Question
Predict the major products formed when benzene reacts (just once) with the following reagents.
(k) carbon monoxide, HCl, and AlCl3/CuCl
(l) CH2(COCl)2, AlCl3
634
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Textbook Question
Predict the major products of the following reactions.
(b) phenol + tert-butyl chloride + AlCl3
1822
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