Complete the following reaction sequence and give the name of major product 'P'. [figure]
- 2-Chloropropanoic acid
- 3-Chloropropanoic acid
- 1-Chloropropane
- 2-Chloropropane
Answer
(1) 2-Chloropropanoic acid
Solution
Step 1: alkaline hydrolysis of propanenitrile followed by acidification gives propanoic acid.
Step 2: Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky reaction – Cl2/red P replaces an α-hydrogen by Cl.
[figure]
∴ P = 2-Chloropropanoic acid
Answer: (1)