Question

Succinic acid can be synthesized by the following series of reactions from acetylene. Show the reagents and experiential conditions necessary to carry out this synthesis.

Short answer

Answer: The reagents and experimental conditions required to synthesize succinic acid from acetylene are: 1. Formaldehyde and a base catalyst (NaOH or KOH) to form 1,4-butynediol. 2. Hydrogen gas and a metal catalyst (Pd/C) to convert 1,4-butynediol to 1,4-butanediol. 3. An oxidizing agent (KMnO4 or Na2Cr2O7) and an acid (H2SO4) to oxidize 1,4-butanediol to succinic acid.

Step-by-step solution

Synthesis of 1,4-Butynediol from Acetylene

First, we need to convert acetylene (C2H2) to 1,4-butynediol (C4H6O2). To do this, add formaldehyde (CH2O) to acetylene in the presence of a base catalyst, typically an alkali metal hydroxide (NaOH or KOH). The reaction is as follows: C2H2 + 2CH2O ⟶ C4H6O2

Hydrogenation of 1,4-Butynediol to 1,4-Butanediol

Next, we need to convert 1,4-butynediol to 1,4-butanediol (C4H10O2) by hydrogenation. This can be achieved by using a hydrogen gas (H2) and a suitable metal catalyst, such as palladium on carbon (Pd/C). The reaction is as follows: C4H6O2 + 2H2 ⟶ C4H10O2

Oxidation of 1,4-Butanediol to Succinic Acid

Finally, we need to oxidize 1,4-butanediol to obtain succinic acid. This can be done using an oxidizing agent, such as potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O7) in the presence of an acid, such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The reaction is as follows: C4H10O2 + 2[KMnO4, H2SO4, H2O] ⟶ C4H6O4 In summary, the reagents and experimental conditions required for the synthesis of succinic acid from acetylene are: 1. Formaldehyde and a base catalyst (NaOH or KOH) to form 1,4-butynediol. 2. Hydrogen gas and a metal catalyst (Pd/C) to convert 1,4-butynediol to 1,4-butanediol. 3. An oxidizing agent (KMnO4 or Na2Cr2O7) and an acid (H2SO4) to oxidize 1,4-butanediol to succinic acid.