Chapter 19, Problem 19.6P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Synthesis of the given target molecule is to be shown beginning with propanal ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\text{CH=O}$.

Concept introduction:

The relative positioning of heteroatoms within functional groups can give us a clue as to the $\text{C-C}$ bond-forming reactions that we might use in the synthesis. The target does indeed have a 1, 2-positioning of the heteroatoms involving the CN and SH functional groups, so we obtain it from cyanohydrins. The reaction undergoes a retrosynthetic analysis.