Question

Synthesize the following compounds from the given starting materials. You may use any other needed organic or inorganic reagents, but all of the carbons in your final product must come from the given starting materials.

A) Provide a detailed, stepwise mechanism for the following transformations. Use curved arrows to show the movement of electrons.
B) Outline the key reagents and conditions needed for the synthesis.
C) Propose multiple possible final products for the given starting materials.
D) Identify potential side reactions that may occur during the synthesis.

Answer 1

Organic chemistry involves the synthesis of carbon-containing compounds from various starting materials. During synthesis, potential side reactions and by-products must be managed, and catalysts, as well as safer solvents and reaction conditions, can be used to increase reaction efficiency and atom economy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Organic chemistry is concerned with the synthesis of carbon-containing compounds from inorganic or organic substances. The process of creating a compound like bromoethane involves a synthesis reaction between ethene and hydrogen bromide. Similarly, ammonium nitrate can be synthesized from molecular nitrogen by reducing it to ammonia and then neutralizing it with an acid.

Synthetic Pathways and Potential Side Reactions

To prepare solid ammonium nitrate, the nitrogen needs to be reduced to ammonia (via the Haber process) and then it can be reacted with nitric acid to yield ammonium nitrate. For hydrogen bromide, liquid bromine undergoes a redox reaction with hydrogen. Zinc and sulfur react to form zinc sulfide, which subsequently reacts with a strong acid to produce gaseous hydrogen sulfide, H₂S.

Potential Side Reactions

Potential side reactions may occur during these syntheses, such as the formation of by-products due to over-reaction or reactions with impurities within the starting materials. In industrial settings, optimizing conditions to minimize these side reactions is crucial for maximizing atom economy and reducing waste. The use of catalysts may also be considered to increase the efficiency of these chemical reactions while adopting safer solvents and reaction conditions.