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Organic conversion

Acetophenone to ethylbenzene

1 step: Clemmensen reduction

Class 12, Chapter 8 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

  1. O
    AcetophenoneC₆H₅COCH₃Ketone
  2. Step 1

    Zn-Hg, conc. HCl

    Clemmensen reduction
    i

    Clemmensen reduction turns the ketone C=O into CH₂: the way to put a straight chain on a ring, since Friedel-Crafts alkylation rearranges.

    Also written: (i) NH₂NH₂ (ii) KOH or NaOH, ethylene glycol, heat

    EthylbenzeneC₆H₅CH₂CH₃Arene

Exam answer

  1. Step 1: Acetophenone to ethylbenzene: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl.
Why these reagents

Reagent and reason, step by step

  • Step 1: Acetophenone to ethylbenzene: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl Clemmensen reduction turns the ketone C=O into CH₂: the way to put a straight chain on a ring, since Friedel-Crafts alkylation rearranges.
Questions

Acetophenone to ethylbenzene: quick answers

How many steps does it take to convert acetophenone to ethylbenzene?

1 step: Acetophenone, then ethylbenzene.

Which named reaction is used to convert acetophenone to ethylbenzene?

Clemmensen reduction. The carbonyl group of an aldehyde or ketone is reduced to CH2 by zinc amalgam and concentrated HCl.

What is the reagent for step 1 of acetophenone to ethylbenzene?

Acetophenone to ethylbenzene: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl. Clemmensen reduction turns the ketone C=O into CH₂: the way to put a straight chain on a ring, since Friedel-Crafts alkylation rearranges.

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