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Synthesis of 1- Bromobutane an Sn2 Reaction

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Experiment 13:
Synthesis of 1- Bromobutane An SN2 Reaction

Theory: One of the methods of preparing alkyl halides is via the nucleophilic substitution reactions of alcohols. Alcohols are inexpensive materials and easy to maintain. However, they are a poor leaving group the OH group is a problem in nucleophilic substitution, this problem is fixed by converting the alcohol into H2O.
Objective: The objective of this lab is to observe the synthesis of 1-bromobutane in an SN2 reaction, to see how a primary alky halide reacts with an alcohol.
Reagents:
Reagents | Physical properties | Sodium bromide | Molecular formula: NaBrMolar mass: 102.894 g/molAppearance: White powderDensity: 3.21 g/cm3 (anhydrous)2.18 g/cm3 …show more content…

The weight and boiling point was then obtained of the product and recorded.

Results: Boling point 1-bromobutane | 97oC | Starting weight 1-butonaol | 7.5g | Ending weight 1-butonaol | 8g | Percent yield of 1-bromobutane | 5% | Percent yield of 1-butonal | 6% |

Calculations:
Percent yield boiling point:
Percent yield weight:

Discussion: In the synthesis of 1-bromobutane alcohol is a poor leaving group; this problem is fixed by converting the OH group into H2O, which is a better leaving group. Depending on the structure of the alcohol it may undergo SN1 or SN2. Primary alky halides undergo SN2 reactions. 1- bromobutane is a primary alkyl halide, and may be synthesized by the acid-mediated reaction of a 1-butonaol with a bromide ion as a nucleophile. The proposed mechanism involves the initial formation of HBr in situ, the protonation of the alcohol by HBr, and the nucleophilic displacement by Br- to give the 1-bromobutane. In the reaction once the salts are dissolved and the mixture is gently heated with a reflux a noticeable reaction occurs with the development of two layers. When the distillation was clear the head temperature was around 115oC because the increased boiling point is caused by co-distillation of sulfuric acid and hydrobromic acid with water. When transferring allof the crude 1-bromobutane without the drying agent,

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