Question

How will you convert ethanal into the following compounds?

(i) Butan-1,3-diol (ii) But-2-enal (iii) But-2-enoic acid

Answer 1

(i) Ethanal into  Butane-1,3-diol
Aldol condensation (in presence of dil NaOH) followed by reduction with sodium borohydride.

(ii) Ethanal into But-2-enal
Aldol condensation (in presence of dil NaOH) followed by dehydration.

(iii) Ethanal into But-2-enoic acid
Aldol condensation (in presence of dil NaOH) followed by dehydration and oxidation with Tollen's reagent.