Question

The refluxing of the silver salt of the carboxylic acid in \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) to form haloalkane or haloarene is called (a) Friedel-Crafts reaction (b) Wittig reaction (c) Hoffmann's bromamide reaction (d) Hunsdiecker reaction

Short answer

The reaction is called the Hunsdiecker reaction.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

We need to identify the name of the reaction where the silver salt of a carboxylic acid reacts with carbon tetrachloride, \( \mathrm{CCl}_4 \), to form a haloalkane or haloarene. This is a known named reaction in organic chemistry.

Identifying the Reaction

The reaction, where a silver salt of a carboxylic acid is heated with a halogen to form an alkyl halide, is known as the Hunsdiecker Reaction. The overall process involves the conversion of carboxylic acids into alkyl halides through the halogenation of the carboxylic acid's silver salt.

Comparing with Given Options

We match our identified reaction against the given options. The options are: (a) Friedel-Crafts reaction, (b) Wittig reaction, (c) Hoffmann's bromamide reaction, and (d) Hunsdiecker reaction. As we identified, the reaction described is the Hunsdiecker reaction.

Conclusion and Correct Answer

Based on the analysis and understanding of the described process, the correct answer to the given problem is (d) Hunsdiecker reaction.

Key concepts

Organic Chemistry Reactions

Organic chemistry reactions involve transformations of organic compounds, primarily focusing on the behavior of carbon-containing molecules. These reactions play a key role in the synthesis and transformation of complex molecules.

This field encompasses a broad range of reaction types, each with its unique mechanisms and outcomes.

• Substitution reactions, where one atom or group is replaced by another.
• Addition reactions, which involve adding atoms or groups to unsaturated molecules.
• Elimination reactions that remove atoms or groups to form double or triple bonds.
• Rearrangement reactions that lead to structural changes within a molecule.

Understanding these reactions is crucial for developing pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and new materials. Each reaction type contributes to the toolbox of strategies available for organic synthesis.

Named Reactions in Chemistry

Named reactions are chemical reactions that have been given specific names, often honoring the scientist who discovered or contributed significantly to the understanding of the reaction. These reactions have peculiar mechanisms and conditions, making them distinct in their applications.

Such reactions are essential for simplifying communication among chemists. For instance, referencing a 'Hunsdiecker reaction' immediately conveys the transformation of a carboxylic acid's silver salt into a haloalkane.

Students and professionals in organic chemistry often memorize named reactions, as they are benchmarks in synthetic strategies. Some other famous named reactions include:

• Friedel-Crafts reaction: used in aromatic substitutions.
• Wittig reaction: involved in forming alkenes from aldehydes or ketones.
• Hoffmann's bromamide reaction: a means of converting amides to amines with one fewer carbon atom.

Named reactions are integral to the learning process in organic chemistry, providing a framework for understanding complex chemical transformations.

Silver Salts of Carboxylic Acids

Silver salts of carboxylic acids are essential intermediates in several organic reactions, including the Hunsdiecker Reaction. These salts are typically prepared by neutralizing carboxylic acids with silver oxide, yielding silver carboxylates.

These salts are important for several reasons:

• They facilitate specific types of reactions, like decarboxylation under oxidative conditions.
• The silver ion acts as an excellent leaving group, enabling certain reaction pathways.

The preparation and use of these salts are studied for their ability to introduce halogens into organic molecules, a process needed for producing various compounds, including pharmaceuticals and agrichemicals. The stability and reactivity of these salts make them valuable tools in organic chemistry.

Haloalkane Formation

The formation of haloalkanes, also known as alkyl halides, is an important transformation in organic chemistry. Haloalkanes are compounds where an alkane has one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by halogen atoms such as chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

The Hunsdiecker Reaction is a classic method employed for this purpose. Starting with silver salts of carboxylic acids, the reaction proceeds with the introduction of a halogen, resulting in the formation of haloalkanes. These compounds are valuable due to their wide range of applications:

• They serve as building blocks in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.
• Haloalkanes are used in agrochemicals to protect crops.
• They function as intermediates in the production of various organic materials.

Understanding haloalkane formation and their reactivity is foundational in the study of organic chemistry, enabling the synthesis of increasingly complex molecules.