Question

Use 1-Butanol as the only organic compound, design a method to synthesize 5-Nonanone. You may use any other inorganic reagents. Any organic reagents have to be made from 1-butanol.

Answer 1

See attached picture.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

In this case, starting by 1-butanol, we can make it react with hydrogen bromide (1st step) in order to yield 1-bromobutane. Next, the formed alkyl halide is treated magnesium in the presence of an ether in order to yield butyl magnesium bromide which is a Grignard reagent (2nd step). Finally, by adding carbon dioxide, water and extra hydrogen chloride, a carbonyl group can be formed between two butyl radicals in order to form the 5-nonanone (3rd step) as shown on the attached picture.

Best regards.