Reagents and Reactions

[Link] Reagent /Process Function Reaction conditions Name of the reaction ( if any) /Remarks
1 H2 /Pd or Pt Alkenes or alkynes to Room temperature Hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons
alkanes
2 H2 / Ni Alkenes or alkynes to At 2000C to 3000C, Sabatier-Sanderens reaction (Hydrogenation of
alkanes. atm pressure unsaturated hydrocarbons)

Methane can not be prepared

3 Zn/HCl or Zn/ NaOH or Zn- Alkyl halides to alkanes Nascent hydrogen is Reduction of alkyl halides
Cu couple/C2H5OH or produced
Zn/CH3COOH
4 Na/ Dry ether alkyl halides to alkanes. Heat Wurtz reaction. (Free radical mechanism)
(Carbon -Carbon Methane can not be prepared
coupling)
5 NaOH +CaO (Soda Lime) Sodium salt of carboxylic Heating Decarboxylation.
acids to alkanes with one
carbon atom less than the
starting carboxylic acid.
6 Electrolysis Sodium or potassium salt Kolbe’s electrolysis
of carboxylic acids to Methane can not be prepared
alkanes. At anode
alkane, at cathode, H2 are
formed. (Carbon -Carbon
coupling
7 X2, or Conc.HNO3 or Alkanes to haloalkanes Higher temperature Free radical, substitution. (Halogenation / nitration
Conc.H2SO4 or nitroalkanes or alkane (573-773 K) or in the /sulphonation). Chain reaction.
sulphonic acid. presence of diffused Rate of reaction with halogens F2 > Cl2 > Br2 > I2
Lower alkanes do not Sunlight or ultraviolet Rate of replacement of hydrogens of alkanes is
undergo nitration light. 3° > 2° > 1°.
/sulphonation. Iodination is carried During the free radical halogenation of ethane, due
out in the presence of to the disproportionation of ethyl free radical,
oxidizing agents like ethylene can be formed.
HIO3 or HNO3 . During the free radical halogenation of methane, in
the chain termination, due to the combination of
methyl free radicals, ethane can be formed.

8 Cu Methane to methanol ( 523K/100atm Controlled oxidation

O2 is one of the reactants)
9 Mo2O3 Methane to methanal ( Heat Controlled oxidation
O2 is one of the reactants)
10 (CH COO)2 Mn Ethane to ethanoic acid ( Heat Controlled oxidation
O2 is one of the reactants)
11 KMnO4 Isobutane to tertiary Heat Controlled oxidation
butyl alcohol.
12 Anhydrous AlCl3 /HCl n-alkanes to isoalkanes Heat Isomerization
13 Cr2O3 or V2O5 or MoO2 n-Alkanes having six or 773K at 10-20 atm Aromatization ( dehydrogenation) or reforming.
more carbon atoms to
aromatic compounds
14 Preparation of lower alkanes Higher alkanes to lower Very high temperature Pyrolysis or cracking
alkanes
15 Partially deactivated alkynes to alkenes on Controlled hydrogenation.
palladised charcoal treating with H2 Cis-hydrogenation
Lindlar’s catalyst.
(Pd/C/BaSO4 in Quinoline)
16 Na/Liq.NH3 alkynes to alkenes on Controlled hydrogenation.
treating with H2 Trans-hydrogenation
17 Alcoholic potash (potassium Alkyl halides to alkenes Heat Dehydrohalogenation, β-elimination.
hydroxide dissolved in Rate of reaction: Cl2 < Br2 < I2
alcohol like C2H5OH ( forms Rate of reaction: : tert > sec > pri
C2H5-O-K ,potassium
ethoxide, a base.
18 Zn Vicinal dihalides ( if Heat Dehalogenation.
halogen atoms are
present on the adjacent
carbons) to alkenes
19 Conc.H2SO4 or Alcohols to alkenes 1700C Dehydration. β-elimination.
Al2O3 or 3500C Ease of dehydration of alcohols: tert > sec > pri
H3PO4 2000C
20. X2 / CCl4 ( X= Cl or Br) Halogenation of alkenes ( The reddish orange colour of bromine solution in
also alkynes) carbon tetrachloride is discharged when bromine
adds up to an unsaturation site. This reaction is
used as a test for unsaturation. Addition of
halogens to alkenes is an example of electrophilic
addition reaction involving cyclic halonium ion
formation. Trans -1,2-dihalo compound is the
product.
21 HX ( X= Cl or Br or I) Alkenes to alkyl halides Single product if symmetrical alkene is used
Two products if unsymmetrical alkene is used.
Formation of major product is in accordance with
Markovnikov rule (negative part of the addendum
(adding molecule) gets attached to that carbon
atom which possesses lesser number of hydrogen
atoms). Formation of the major product is based on
the stability of intermediate carbocation.
22 HBr ( not with HCl or HI) / Alkenes to alkyl halides Single product if symmetrical alkene is used
Peroxides Two products if unsymmetrical alkene is used.
Formation of major product is in accordance with
Anti Markovnikov addition or peroxide effect or
Kharash effect (negative part of the addendum
(adding molecule) gets attached to that carbon
atom which possesses more number of hydrogen
atoms). Formation of the major product is based on
the stability of intermediate free radical.
23 Cold concentrated sulphuric Alkenes to alkyl Formation of alkyl hydrogen sulphate
acid hydrogen sulphate
24 Cold, dilute, aqueous Alkenes to glycols 273K Cis hydroxylation. Colour of KMnO4 is
solution of potassium discharged. Test for unsaturation.
permanganate (Baeyer’s
reagent)
25 Acidic potassium Alkenes to ketones or
permanganate or acidic carboxylic acids (s
potassium dichromate depending upon the
nature of the alkene and
the experimental
conditions)
26 O3 , Zn-H2O Alkenes to two carbonyl Ozonolysis. Useful reaction to detect the position
compounds of double bond(s).
(Cyclic alkenes and
alkynes will give
product with two
carbonyl groups)