Organic conversion

Propanone to propane

1 step: Clemmensen reduction

Class 12, Chapter 8 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Alternative routes (3)

Propanone → Propan-2-ol → Propene → Propane
1. Propanone to propan-2-ol: NaBH₄.
2. Propan-2-ol to propene: 85% H₃PO₄, 440 K.
3. Propene to propane: H₂, Ni (or Pt, Pd).
Propanone → Propan-2-ol → 2-Bromopropane → Propene → Propane
1. Propanone to propan-2-ol: NaBH₄.
2. Propan-2-ol to 2-bromopropane: red P + Br₂ (PBr₃).
3. 2-Bromopropane to propene: alc. KOH, heat.
4. Propene to propane: H₂, Ni (or Pt, Pd).
Propanone → Propan-2-ol → Propene → 1-Bromopropane → Propane
1. Propanone to propan-2-ol: NaBH₄.
2. Propan-2-ol to propene: 85% H₃PO₄, 440 K.
3. Propene to 1-bromopropane: HBr, peroxide.
4. 1-Bromopropane to propane: Zn, dilute HCl.

Why these reagents

Reagent and reason, step by step

Step 1: Propanone to propane: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl Clemmensen reduction turns C=O into CH₂.

Questions

How many steps does it take to convert propanone to propane?

1 step: Propanone, then propane.

Which named reaction is used to convert propanone to propane?

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 propanone to propane?

Propanone to propane: Zn-Hg, conc. HCl. Clemmensen reduction turns C=O into CH₂.