Important to identify all functional groups
correctly on starting and target molecule.
If two functional groups on compound, need to
write reactions that change one functional group
and then write reactions that change the other
functional group, independent of one another,
unless acid protonates amine.
Know all reagents and conditions as well e.g. conc
sulphuric acid.
Remember phenyl not the same as phenol.
Sometimes easier to work backwards from target
molecule.
Identify with both starting and target contain same number of carbon atoms.
Be careful if amide or amine. Also determine if primary or secondary amide.
If want to increase carbon chain, have to react haloalkane + NaCN to get nitrile. Or aldehyde/
ketone + HCN to give hydroxynitrile.
For benzene, use alkylation or alcylation to increase number of carbons.
When doing reactions with benzene, order of reactions matters as may want to add a directing
group to position 3 or 2/ 4.
Question may say only have one chemical. So react this one chemical with reagents to get
intermediates needed for main compound.
If questions does not draw compounds but writes systamatic name, expected to also write
systamatic names for all intermediates in answer.
Only phenol, amide and alcohol. Don’t call it benzene.
