Organic reaction-pathway problem clinic
≈ 50 minOrganic reaction-pathway problem clinic
Organic pathway problems become manageable when you mark the functional group after every arrow. Identify whether the arrow adds atoms to a C=C bond, removes a small molecule to create a C=C bond, replaces a group, oxidises an alcohol, or joins alcohol and acid functional groups in esterification. Conditions are evidence: a catalyst, heating, acid or aqueous reagent can distinguish otherwise similar-looking transformations. Balance atoms and include by-products such as water when relevant. A pathway answer should show molecular structures or clear condensed formulae, not only names.
Work it through
Ethanol can be dehydrated to ethene under suitable acidic heating conditions: CH₃CH₂OH → CH₂=CH₂ + H₂O. Ethene can then add bromine to form 1,2-dibromoethane. The first step is elimination because water is removed and a double bond forms; the second is addition because bromine adds across the double bond.
Mastery target
Identify a sequence of organic functional-group changes, classify each reaction, state useful conditions and verify atoms across every arrow.
What reaction type converts ethanol to ethene plus water?
Name the key chemistry term from Organic reaction-pathway problem clinic that best fits the explanation and visual model.
What reaction type describes bromine adding across ethene's C=C bond?
Which statement corrects a common misunderstanding in Organic reaction-pathway problem clinic?