Mastering Name Reactions
Pathways to Benzaldehyde
Preparing benzaldehyde from various starting materials is a classic theme in organic chemistry. This problem tests your memory and understanding of three fundamental name reactions. Let's break down each pathway to see how we can synthesize our target molecule.
The Gattermann-Koch Reaction
First, let's look at Benzene. To synthesize benzaldehyde directly from benzene, we employ the Gattermann-Koch reaction.
In this process, benzene is treated with a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, typically anhydrous aluminium chloride (AlCl3). The CO and HCl essentially act as a source of formyl chloride (HCOCl), which generates the electrophilic formyl cation (HCO+). This cation then attacks the benzene ring via electrophilic aromatic substitution to yield benzaldehyde.
Therefore, Benzene (I) matches with the reagents CO, HCl, and AlCl3 (R).
The Stephen Reduction
Next, we have Benzonitrile. Converting a nitrile group (-CN) into an aldehyde (-CHO) is elegantly achieved using the Stephen reduction.
This reaction involves treating the nitrile with tin(II) chloride (SnCl2) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The nitrile is first reduced to an intermediate iminium salt. Subsequent hydrolysis of this iminium salt with aqueous acid (H3O+) yields the corresponding aldehyde.
Thus, Benzonitrile (II) matches with the reagents HCl, SnCl2, and H3O+ (P).
The Rosenmund Reduction
Finally, consider Benzoyl chloride. Transforming an acid chloride (-COCl) into an aldehyde requires a controlled reduction, specifically the Rosenmund reduction.
In this reaction, hydrogen gas (H2) is bubled through a solution of the acid chloride in the presence of a palladium catalyst supported on barium sulfate (Pd-BaSO4).
The Catch: Why use barium sulfate? Palladium alone is too active and would reduce the newly formed aldehyde all the way down to a primary alcohol. Barium sulfate acts as a catalytic poison, intentionally decreasing the activity of the palladium so the reduction stops exactly at the aldehyde stage. Sometimes, a small amount of sulfur or quinoline is also added to further poison the catalyst.
Consequently, Benzoyl chloride (III) matches with H2,Pd-BaSO4, S, and quinoline (Q).
Conclusion
By systematically analyzing each starting material and its corresponding name reaction, we arrive at the final matching:
- (I) → (R)
- (II) → (P)
- (III) → (Q)
This perfectly aligns with option (c).