Chapter 20.SE, Problem 58AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Starting from isobutylbenzene, how to synthesize ibuprofen is to be shown.

Concept introduction:

The synthesis of ibuprofen from isobutylbenzene involves the following steps. i) Friedal-Crafts acylation of isobutylbenzene ii) Reduction of the ketone to a secondary alcohol iii) Conversion of the alcohol to a bromide iv) conversion of the bromide to nitrile v) hydrolysis of the nitrile to carboxylic acid.

To show:

Starting from isobutylbenzene, how to synthesize ibuprofen.