This module focuses on reaction schemes involving alkenes, alkanes, alcohols, and haloalkanes.
In some exercises reagents will be positioned in schemes; in others the compounds will be positioned in the scheme and some involve positioning of both reagents and compounds. The particular reactions and reagents are summarised below.
Interconversion of alkenes and haloalkanes by addition and elimination reactions.
Note that the conditions are not specified for use of either HX or KOH.
The focus is on the fact that one needs a base to eliminate HX from a haloalkane.
Interconversion of alcohols and haloalkanes by substitution reactions:
Reduction reactions of alkenes
Oxidation reactions of alkenes
In some exercises reagents will be positioned in schemes; in others the compounds will be positioned in the scheme and some involve positioning of both reagents and compounds. The particular reactions and reagents are summarised below.
Interconversion of alkenes and haloalkanes by addition and elimination reactions.
| CH3CH=CHCH3 | HX   KOH |  |
Note that the conditions are not specified for use of either HX or KOH.
The focus is on the fact that one needs a base to eliminate HX from a haloalkane.
Interconversion of alcohols and haloalkanes by substitution reactions:
 | HX (substitution) KOH (substitution) | |
HX in aqueous solution would be satisfactory for conversion of the alcohols in this module to halides.
H2O is also formed in this reaction.
SOCl2 is an another reagent that is commonly used to convert alcohols to chlorides.
Oxidation reactions of alcohols; reduction reactions of aldehydes and ketonesH2O is also formed in this reaction.
SOCl2 is an another reagent that is commonly used to convert alcohols to chlorides.
| | K2Cr2O7/H+ (oxidation) NaBH4 then H3O+ (reduction) |  |
In oxidation reactions the number of bonds AT CARBON to a more electronegative element (O in this case) are increased.
In reduction reactions the number of bonds AT CARBON to a less electronegative element (H in this case) are increased.
Reduction reactions of alkenes
| CH3CH=CHCH3 | H2/Pd (reduction) | CH3CH2CH2CH3 |
This is an reduction because a π (pi) bond between carbons has been replaced by TWO bonds from carbon to a less electronegative element.
Oxidation reactions of alkenes
| CH3CH=CHCH3 | KMnO4 (oxidation) |  |
This is an oxidation because a π (pi) bond between carbons has been replaced by TWO bonds to a more electronegative element.