Chapter 27, Problem 72IAE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Synthesis of sodium butanoate from chloropropane and its conversion to butanoic acid should be explained.

Concept introduction:

The substrate suitable for the synthesis of an organic compound is determined by various factors such as ease of availability of reagent, faster kinetics and a lesser amount of byproducts.

Nucleophilic substitution reaction $\left({\text{S}}_{\text{N}}2\right)$ is a single step substitution reaction in which electron rich species substitute leaving group. The attack takes place from the back side of the electrophilic center thus an inversion of the configuration takes place. Also, there is a single transition state because bond breaking and bond making occurs simultaneously.