Using the given starting material, any necessary inorganic reagents and catalysts, and any carbon-containing compounds with no more than three carbons, indicate how each of the following compounds can be prepared:
a.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Analyze the starting material and target compound. The starting material is bromobenzene, and the target compound is phenylethanol (C6H5CH2CH2OH). This transformation involves replacing the bromine atom with a two-carbon chain containing a hydroxyl group.
2. Step 2: Perform a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Bromobenzene can undergo a reaction with ethylene oxide (an epoxide containing two carbons) in the presence of a strong base such as NaOH or KOH. This opens the epoxide ring and attaches the two-carbon chain to the benzene ring.
3. Step 3: Ensure the hydroxyl group is retained. The reaction with ethylene oxide naturally introduces the hydroxyl group at the terminal carbon of the two-carbon chain, forming phenylethanol.
4. Step 4: Purify the product. After the reaction, the mixture can be purified using techniques such as distillation or recrystallization to isolate phenylethanol.
5. Step 5: Verify the structure. Use spectroscopic methods such as NMR or IR to confirm the presence of the hydroxyl group and the two-carbon chain attached to the benzene ring.

Key Concepts

Organic Synthesis

Organic synthesis is the process of constructing organic compounds through a series of chemical reactions. It involves the strategic selection of starting materials, reagents, and conditions to achieve the desired product. Understanding the principles of organic synthesis is crucial for designing pathways to prepare specific compounds, especially when limited to certain reagents and carbon chain lengths.

Reagents and Catalysts

Reagents are substances that are added to a reaction to cause a chemical change, while catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a reaction without being consumed. In organic synthesis, the choice of reagents and catalysts can significantly influence the efficiency and selectivity of the reaction. Familiarity with common inorganic reagents and catalysts is essential for successfully preparing organic compounds.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. Identifying the functional groups present in the target compound is vital for determining the appropriate synthetic route. Understanding how different functional groups interact and transform during reactions is key to predicting the outcomes of organic synthesis.