CHART ILLUSTRATING ORGANIC REACTIONS O F THE ALIPHATIC SERIES Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
VARIOUS charts have been published showing the interrelationships of organic compounds. The accompanying chart illustrates in a single diagram a number of important reactions of the aliphatic series. The names of the compounds are not given but it is obvious that most of them are common substances with which the student should he familiar. The letter 0 means "oxidation," and H, "reduction." In the malonic ester and acetoacetic ester syntheses the letter R has been used to represent an alkyl group. The various acids and ketones that can be prepared by the latter synthesis can be determined by refemng to the illustrations of the two types of hydrolysis charaderis-
tic of acetoacetic ester and its numerous derivatives. Teachers of organic chemistry often use examination questions similar to the two that follow. (1) Starting with methyl alcohol and inorganic reagents illustrate reactions by which ethyl alcohol can be prepared. (2) Pass from coke to aldol. Both of these "transformations" are given in the accompanying chart. The latter is readily solved if it is known that aldol is made from acetaldehyde, and that this compound can be prepared from carbon through the intermediates, calcium carbide and acetylene. This illustrates a use of the chart which should he of especial value to a student for review purposes.
