[viets7ylez]

Im working on a old final test that does a flow chart of reactions and at the end I have

C12H14Br4O + Zn (Excess) -->

and I have no idea what the Zn does.

Any ideas?

[sjb]

C₁₂H₁₄Br₄O + Zn (Excess) -->

and I have no idea what the Zn does.

Any ideas?

It could do several things, depending on what C₁₂H₁₄Br₄O actually is. For instance, you can reduce various functional groups with it (ArNO₂ -> typically ANH₂, or alkynes to olefins), you may form Reformatsky style intermediates and do subsequent further chemistry....

S

[RBF]

Check out "reductive dehalogenation" as a possibility.  Zinc is often used in these types of reactions, and the molecule in question does have bromine (although exactly where is not apparent)

[lutesium]

Zinc + Formic acid can even reduce Ar-NO2 to Ar-NH2 so its a good reducing regent in my sight!!!


Lutesium

[djay]

If its in ether then its the Wurtz reaction.

[lutesium]

Yeah Djay but you dont need a solvent many times!!! But the reaction is sooo vigorous that I remember myself once adding the formic acid to the RXN mixture too fast and then the RXN bumped burning all my arms and damaging my hotplate + stirrer combo!!! So be careful!


Lutesium...