Question

How is 1-propoxypropane synthesized from propan-1-ol? Write mechanism of this reaction.

Answer 1

Hint: The synthesis takes place by the action of the protic acids such as phosphoric acid or Sulphuric acid and there is a loss of water molecule for the formation of product.

Complete step by step answer:
1-propoxypropane is synthesized from propan-1-ol by the actions of the protic acids such as Sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid etc. Two molecules of propan-1-ol condense to form 1 molecule of 1-propoxypropane. During this process one molecule of water is lost.
\[2C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{2}}-OH\xrightarrow{{{H}^{+}}}C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{2}}-O-C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{3}}\]

Dehydration is the conversion that involves the loss of water molecules from the reacting molecule.
Protonation is the addition of a proton to an atom or molecule or ion forming a conjugate acid.
Deprotonation is the process of the removal of a proton from an acid in the acid-base reaction.
The reaction mechanism is explained below:
First step: protonation- The first step involves the protonation of the oxygen atom present in propan-1-ol.
Second step: nucleophile attack- in this step the oxygen atom of the second molecule of propan-1-ol which acts as a nucleophile here attacks the protonated form of propan-1-ol and forms protonated 1-propoxypropane and water.
Third step: deprotonation- in this step deprotonating of protonated 1-propoxypropane takes place.

Note: 1-propanol is used as a solvent as a multi-purpose solvent in the industry and in the home. It is used in many of the textile applications and also used in cosmetic products and lotions, in window cleaning, polishing etc. There is a toxic effect of 1-propanol, it causes depression of the central nervous system 1-propanol is neurotoxic.