Organic conversion

Ethanal to ethanol

1 step: reduction

Class 12, Chapter 8 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Alternative routes (4)

Ethanal → Ethanoic acid → Ethanol
1. Ethanal to ethanoic acid: KMnO₄, dilute H₂SO₄.
2. Ethanoic acid to ethanol: (i) LiAlH₄ (ii) H₃O⁺.
Ethanal → Ethane → Chloroethane → Ethanol
1. Ethanal to ethane: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl.
2. Ethane to chloroethane: Cl₂, UV light.
3. Chloroethane to ethanol: aq. NaOH (or aq. KOH).
Ethanal → Ethane → Chloroethane → Ethene → Ethanol
1. Ethanal to ethane: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl.
2. Ethane to chloroethane: Cl₂, UV light.
3. Chloroethane to ethene: alc. KOH, heat.
4. Ethene to ethanol: H₂O, H⁺ (dilute H₂SO₄).
Ethanal → Ethane → Chloroethane → Ethanamine → Ethanol
1. Ethanal to ethane: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl.
2. Ethane to chloroethane: Cl₂, UV light.
3. Chloroethane to ethanamine: NH₃ (excess), ethanolic, sealed tube, 373 K.
4. Ethanamine to ethanol: NaNO₂ + HCl, 273 to 278 K.

Why these reagents

Reagent and reason, step by step

Step 1: Ethanal to ethanol: NaBH₄ Sodium borohydride reduces aldehydes and ketones but not the C=C of an unsaturated carbonyl.

Good to know

Step 1Sodium borohydride reduces aldehydes and ketones but not the C=C of an unsaturated carbonyl.

Questions

How many steps does it take to convert ethanal to ethanol?

1 step: Ethanal, then ethanol.

Which named reaction is used to convert ethanal to ethanol?

None of the steps has a name. They are reduction, so write the reagent and the condition for each step.

What is the reagent for step 1 of ethanal to ethanol?

Ethanal to ethanol: NaBH₄. Sodium borohydride reduces aldehydes and ketones but not the C=C of an unsaturated carbonyl.