Organic Chemistry Lesson # 3 – Functional Group Reactions

1. Making Alcohols - Addition Alcohols can be produced by addition reactions across the double bond when alkenes react with water. Alkene + Water → Alcohol Ethene + Water→

2. Making Esters - Condensation Esters are produced by a condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols. This process is also known as esterification. A condensation reactions is defined as one in which one of the products (not the main product) is water, or some other small molecule. Usually an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid and heat are required to make this reaction occur. Esters are named for the alcohol part first, followed by the acid part. The oxygen in the water always comes from the acid, rather than the alcohol. Carboxylic Acid + Alcohol → Ester + Water

Making Esters (continued) Methanoic Acid + Methanol → Butanoic Acid + Ethanol →

3. Making Amides - Condensation Amides are produced by a condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and amines. This process is known as amide formation. As with esters, a sulfuric acid catalyst and heat are required to make this reaction occur. Amides are named for the amine part first, followed by the acid part. Carboxylic Acid + Amine → Amide + Water

Making Amides (continued) Ethanoic Acid + Aminomethane → Propanoic Acid + Aminobutane →

4. Reverse Esterification/Amides - Hydrolysis The esterification process can be reversed – this means that the ester or amide can be split into its acid and either alcohol or amine components through a substitution reaction. This process is called hydrolysis. Ester + Water → Carboxylic Acid + Alcohol Amide + Water → Carboxylic Acid + Amine

Hydrolysis (continued) Ethyl Propanoate + Water → Propyl Methanamide + Water →