Question

Question: Show two ways to convert an alkyl halide into a carboxylic acid that has one more carbon than the alkyl halide.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Reaction of the Grignard reagent with carbon dioxide (1)

The reaction ofhaloalkane with magnesium in the presence of diethyl ether converts into a Grignard reagent. Further reaction with carbon dioxide after hydrolysis gives a carboxylic acidwithone more carbon than the reactant.

The reaction is as follows.

Synthesis of carboxylic acid (1)

Reaction with cyanide (2)

When a haloalkane reacts with cyanide, itconverts the haloalkane into alkyl cyanide.On further reaction, hydrochloric acid and hydrolysis give carboxylic acid with one more carbon.

The reaction is as follows.

Synthesis of carboxylic acid (2)