A Chem 2411 student mixed up the preparation of 1-octanol from 1-octene by the H
ID: 729720 • Letter: A
Question
A Chem 2411 student mixed up the preparation of 1-octanol from 1-octene by the Hydroboration Oxidation protocol. He performed steps 1 through 4, skipped steps 5 through 8 and then did steps 9 and 10. He then realized his mistake and started to do steps 5 through 8. Fortunately I caught him before he added the borane THF to his aqueous solution of 1-octene, hydrogen peroxide, and water. The student might have had an explosion on his hands if I had not intervened. Why? The student was then told that he had to figure out a way to finish the experiment without getting a fresh sample of 1-octene. What should he do from this point on to get a reasonable yield of 1-octanol?Explanation / Answer
Borane-THF is flammable and highly reactive with water ie why the student might have had an explosion on his hands if you had not intervened.