top of page

Synthesis Of Alcohols: Complete Guide Including Alkene Reactions, Reducing Reagents And Organometals

Alcohols are molecules with an OH functional group. There are a variety of ways to synthesize alcohols including alkene reactions, SN2 and SN1 reactions, as well as organometallic reagents.


Let's begin with our review of alkene reactions that create alcohols:

Alcohol Synthesis Using Alkene Reactions

1. Acid Catalyzed Hydration Of Alkenes

The reagent is H2O with any catalytic acid such as H2SO4. Examples are: H2O/H2SO4, H3O+


Product:Turn double bond into single and add OH to the MOST substituted carbon from the double bond (Markovnikov rule). Warning: Rearrangements are possible!

acid catalyzed hydration predict the product
acid catalyzed hydration predict the product

2. Oxymercuration

The reagent is 1.Hg(OAc)2, H2O 2.NaBH4


Product: Turn double bond into single and add OH to the most substituted carbon from the double bond. The other carbon gets the hydrogen. No Rearrangements!

This reaction is very useful. Both acid catalyzed alkene hydration and oxymercuration give the same product, but the difference is that oxymercuration can not have any rearrangements. Therefore, for synthesis, it might be a better choice for the reagent.


oxymercuration predict the product
oxymercuration predict the product

3. Hydroboration


The reagent is 1.BH3, THF 2. H2O2, NaOH or 1.B2H6,diglyme 2.H2O2, NaOH


Product: Turn double bond into single and add OH to the LEAST substituted carbon from the double bond (Anti Markovnikov Rule) and hydrogen on the most substituted carbon from the double bond. OH and H add syn (same side, both are dash or wedge)


Hydroboration is a very useful reaction because it is rare for reactions to go the anti Markovnikov way.

If we notice OH on the less substituted carbon in the product in a synthesis problem, hydroboration most likely led to that product.


hydroboration predict the product
hydroboration predict the product

4. Syn Hydroxylation


The reagent is 1.OsO4 2.H2O2 OR 1.KMnO4 2. H2O, OH- (cold, dilute)


Product: Turn double bond into single and add two OHs, one on each carbon from the double bond. Stereochemistry: syn (same side, both wedge or both dash).


syn hydroxylation predict the product
syn hydroxylation predict the product

Alcohol Synthesis Using Organometallic Reagents

The two organometallic reagents are Grignard and Organolithium.

Grignard reagent has a formula of R-MgX where X is Cl, Br or I. Grignard reagent is created from the reaction of alkyl halide with a magnesium metal. The solvent is an ether and most commonly used solvent is diethyl ether.

synthesis of Grignard reagent
synthesis of Grignard reagent

Alkyl halide used to form Grignard reagent can be primary, secondary, tertiary, vinyl (halogen on a double bond) and aryl (halogen on a benzene ring).

Organolithium reagent has a formula R-Li. It is created by reacting an alkyl halide (vinyl halides and aryl halides can be used as well) with lithium. There are many solvents that are used for this reaction.


synthesis of organolithium reagent
synthesis of organolithium reagent

Both Grignard and Organolithium reagents react with ketones and aldehydes to product alcohols.

Reactions with ketones produce tertiary alcohols. Reactions with aldehydes product secondary alcohols. Reactions with formaldehyde (CH2O) produce primary alcohols. In the second step, water or H3O+ are used to protonate O- and make it into an alcohol.

Synthesis of Alcohols From the Reaction of Grignard or Organolithium Reagent with Ketones And Aldehydes
Synthesis of Alcohols From the Reaction of Grignard or Organolithium Reagent with Ketones And Aldehydes

Grignard reagent (two equivalents are needed) also reacts with acid chlorides and esters to make tertiary alcohols. Two equivalents of Grignard are needed for these reactions.


Synthesis of Alcohols From the Reaction of Grignard With Acid Chlorides or Esters
Synthesis of Alcohols From the Reaction of Grignard With Acid Chlorides or Esters

Finally, Grignard reagent can also react with epoxides to produce an alcohol. Grignard reagent will attack the epoxide from the least substituted carbon, breaking the bond between carbon and oxygen. In the second step, O- will get protonated with H2O or H3O+.

Synthesis of Alcohols From the Reaction of Grignard With Epoxides
Synthesis of Alcohols From the Reaction of Grignard With Epoxides


Alcohol Synthesis Through The Reduction Of Carbonyl Groups


Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) are the two reducing reagents used to turn carbonyl groups. (=O) into alcohols (OH).


NaBH4 reacts ONLY with ketones, aldehydes and acid chlorides to produce alcohols while LiAlH4 reacts with ketones, aldehydes, acid chlorides, carboxylic acids, acid anhydrides and esters to product alcohols. LiAlH4 is able to react with more molecules because it is a stronger reducing agent.

NaBH4 has a variety of solvents including water, alcohols and ethers. The second step of LiAlH4 reaction is H3O+.


Synthesis Of Alcohols Using NaBH4 And LiAlH4 Reducing Agents
Synthesis Of Alcohols Using NaBH4 And LiAlH4 Reducing Agents

Are you looking for an online organic chemistry tutor? Click HERE

0 comments

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating

Ready For Chemistry Tutoring?

I tutor all levels of chemistry including general and organic chemistry.

Click To Learn More

What subject are you taking?
Regents Chemistry
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

Join our email list 

bottom of page