[asIlaydiene]

Hello,

     "Provide the steps necessary to transform propanoic acid into 2-chloro-propanoic acid" That hydroxyl being there seems to get in the way of an E2 reaction using ethoxide base, and is the only way to introduce a chlorine there via Cl2+heat or light?

[discodermolide]

Hello,

     "Provide the steps necessary to transform propanoic acid into 2-chloro-propanoic acid" That hydroxyl being there seems to get in the way of an E2 reaction using ethoxide base, and is the only way to introduce a chlorine there via Cl2+heat or light?

You just submitted three demands, please show your own efforts at a solution to them so we can all see what you have thought about.

[orgopete]

I think you are on the right track to think that it may be an ionic chlorination of a double bond intermediate. Hint, it is sometimes easier to make a double bond from an acid chloride (without ethoxide).