How would you synthesise an carboxylic acid just from a primary haloalkane like bromoethane?

Nucleophilic substitution using NaOH to convert haloalkane to primary alcohol. This is a mechanism that you need to know for the exam. Then oxidise the alcohol by refluxing with acidified potassium dichromate to form the carboxylic acid. Reflux needed because if it isn't heated enough, the aldehyde would form instead! Step 1 : RBr + NaOH --> ROH + NaBr Step 2 : ROH + 2[O] --> RCOOH + H2O

OW

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between exothermic and endothermic?


What's added to Ethanoyl Chloride to make Methyl Ethanoate? Draw out the mechanism for this reaction. Why is this preferred to esterification?


Name an appropriate reducing agent to convert ethanal to ethanol


Why do transition metals form coloured compounds?