Two-Step Synthesis Problems – 20 Solved Examples

Think about learning how to do synthesis two reactions at a time.

When you learn a new reaction, take a moment and just think of one extra reaction you could do with that product.

Example. You learn free-radical halogenation of alkanes to make alkyl halides. What’s one reaction of alkyl halides?

• Elimination (with base) to give an alkene
• Substitution (with nucleophile) to give (e.g.) a nitrile
• later on, formation of a Grignard reagent.

Eventually, you will find yourself piecing together these two-step syntheses into longer chains of sequences.

Here are 20 examples of two-step synthesis questions that are great building blocks for bigger things (OK, some are 3 steps)

1. Chopping Off The Alkyl Group
2. Walking Over The Alkyl Halide
3. Making Molecules Alkynes of Ways
4. Trans to Cis? Not A One Step Process
5. Alkanes to Alcohols
6. Protect That Alcohol!
7. The Great Friedel-Crafts Workaround
8. Styrene
9. Polarity Reversal On A Ring
10. Fun With Carboxylic Acids… and Esters
11. Malonic Ester Madness
12. Cyclohexenone
13. Know What Amine?

Here are the relevant quizzes:

1. Chopping Off An Alkyl Group

Click to Flip

2. Walking Over The Alkyl Halide

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3. Alkynes of Ways To Make These

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4. Trans to Cis Is Not A Simple Operation

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5. Alkanes to Alcohols Via Alkenes

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6. Protect That Alcohol

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7. The Great Friedel Crafts Workaround

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8. Ethylbenzene to Styrene

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9. Polarity Reversal On An Aromatic Ring

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10. Carboxylic Acid Fun (and Esters)

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11. Malonic Ester Madness

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Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.

12. Cyclohexenone

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13. Know What Amine, Vern?

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Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.

Become a MOC member to see the clickable quiz with answers on the back.