Question

How will you convert ethanal into the following compounds?
(i) Butane-1,3-diol (ii) But-2-enal (iii) But-2-enoic acid

Answer 1

(i) Ethanal into Butane-$1,3$-diol
Aldol condensation (in presence of dil NaOH) followed by reduction with sodium borohydride.
(ii) Ethanal into But-$2$-enal
Aldol condensation (in presence of dil NaOH) followed by dehydration.
(iii) Ethanal into But-$2$-enoic acid
Aldol condensation (in presence of dil NaOH) followed by dehydration and oxidation with Tollen's reagent.