Question

A small chemical plant aims to synthesise this chemical from two readily available

petrochemicals, ethene and 2-butene.

(a) Identify the class (family) of organic compound to which 2-butyl ethanoate

belongs.

(b) Explain the chemical property of molecules, such as ethene and 2-butene,

which makes them useful as starting materials in the synthesis of a range of

organic chemicals.

(c) Describe the series of reactions which could be followed to synthesise 2-butyl

ethanoate from ethene and 2-butene as the only organic starting compounds. Your

description should:

● identify a series of reactions which could be followed in the synthesis;

● identify the reaction conditions, including any inorganic reagents, needed to optimise

yield and rate of the main reactions identified;

AND

● include a series of relevant balanced chemical equations, using structural formula

for all organic molecules.

● Give the correct IUPAC names for each structure shown in your equations.

Answer 1

a) hydrocarbons

b) Convergent synthesis.

c) Addition, substitution and reduction