Question

What compound is needed to convert styrene to each product using a Heck reaction?

a.

b.

c.

Short answer

Answer

a.

b.

c.

Step-by-step solution

Styrene

There are several derivatives of benzene, and one among them is styrene. Ethylbenzene gets subjected to dehydrogenation reactions to give rise to styrene.

Heck reaction

Heck reaction falls under the category of coupling reactions. These reactions occur with the aid of palladium catalysts and generate products comprising highly substituted alkenes.

Compound needed to convert styrene to different compounds using Heck reaction

Substituted alkenes are formed from unsaturated halides in the presence of palladium catalysts in the Heck reaction.

a. The compound required to convert styrene to compound a is 2-bromopropene. The reaction can be given as follows.

Reaction of compound a with styrene

b. The compound needed to convert styrene to compound b is 3-bromohex-3-ene. The reaction can be given as follows.

Reaction of compound b with styrene

c. The compound needed to convert styrene to compound c is 3-bromopent-2-ene. The reaction can be given as follows.

Reaction of compound c with styrene