Table of Ka Values Acid-Dissociation Constants of Representative Alcohols Alcohol Structure Ka pKa methanol ethanol 2-chloroethanol 2-2-trichloroethanol isopropyl alcohol t-butyl alcohol phenol cyelohexanol water acetic acid hydrocholric acid Comparison with other acids
METHODS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF ALCOHOLS (to date)
ELECTROPHILIC AND NUCLEOPHIC CARBON Methylmagnesium bromide Methyl lithium Methyl chloride
TYPICAL ELECTROPHILES acetone Methyl chloride
Alcohols, carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids: REDUCTION Reduction: Addition of H2 (or H-), loss of O or O2; loss of X2 Aldehyde Carboxylic acid Primary alcohol Ketone Secondary alcohol Teritiary alcohol Lithium aluminium hydride Sodium borohydride must convert OH to leaving group
Comparison of Reducing Agents • LiAlH4 is stronger. • LiAlH4 reduces more stable compounds which are resistant to reduction. • LiAlH4 is stronger. reduces ester Acid (anion) aldehyde ketone ease of reduction