General Instructions

In this activity, you will be given a series of questions. These questions will involve discussing the acidity of phenols, explaining mechanisms for reactions of aldehydes and ketones, and discussing Gringard reagents and ethers. The link to a chemistry drawing tool is provided; you should explore the features and familiarize yourself with the functions before starting the activity. Note that you are not required to share the structures or mechanisms you drew when sharing your responses.

Step 1 - Review

Review the material from this module, paying particular attention to the different mechanisms of alcohol formation, resonance effects, Gringard reagent, and the breakdown of alcohols.

Step 2 - Respond

Answer the following questions:

1. Use the following schemes to explain why:

1. Phenol is more acidic than cyclohexanol 

2. Substituted phenols are more acidic than non-substituted phenols
   
   
   

2. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by either NaBH4 or LiAlH4. Explain the role of NaBH4 and LiAlH4 and the mechanism for the reaction. You can practice drawing the mechanism in the chemistry tool.
   
   

3. The following reaction requires a specific type of reagent to produce the desired product.
   
   
   

1. What is the general name given to these types of reagents (hint: specific to the production of alcohols)?

2. Explain the general mechanism for these reactions. You can practice drawing the mechanism in the chemistry tool.
   
   

4. The end product of an oxidation reaction is presented in the structure below:
   

1. What was the starting product? How did you deduce this?

2. Explain the mechanism of this reaction. You can practice drawing the mechanism in the chemistry tool.
   
   

5. Alcohols can act as both nucleophiles and electrophiles.

1. Why do alcohols act as nucleophiles and electrophiles?

2. Provide an example of a reaction where alcohol has a nucleophilic role and explain the mechanism. You can practice drawing the mechanism in the chemistry tool.

3. Provide an example of a reaction where alcohol has an electrophilic role and explain the mechanism. You can practice drawing the mechanism in the chemistry tool.
   
   

6. Ethers can be used to protect alcohol functional groups. 

1. Why would it be necessary to protect an OH group?

2. Explain Williamson's substitution.

Step 3: Share 

To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B.: references are excluded from word counts). Note that you do not need to share your drawings done in the Chemistry tool, but you can discuss them if needed.

Step 4: Interact 

To complete the activity, evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of the rubric below. Provide a rationale for your grade and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, then “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….

OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”