Organic Chemistry Reaction Mechanism

Pre - Lab Datasheet (Experiment 4)

- Preparation of 1-bromobutane
Wayne Sow p1407622
DACP/FT/2A/03

1 a) The 1-chloro-2-methylpropane is the substrate while the ammonia is the nucleophile.

(c) The sulphuric acid is used in this reaction to react with the Potassium Bromide to produce the
Hydrogen Bromide acid, which can then be used to protonate the leaving group.

(d) (i) This first wash removes some of the side products such as, 1-butene.
(ii) Washing with Sulfuric acid then removes the unreacted starting products, and also helps to
remove more of the side products.
(iii) The washing with the sodium hydrogen carbonate is then used to remove any remaining
acidic Hydrogen Bromide that is still in the mixture, and also to remove the sulphuric acid that is still
present in the mixture.
(iv) The final wash with deionised water is then used to remove all the impurities such as the
reactants that are formed with the addition of sodium hydrogen carbonate.

(e) The theoretical density of 1-bromobutane is 1.27 g/cm3 .