Abstract
Bromination of an alkene is a typical addition reaction covered in an introductory organic chemistry course and laboratory. In this undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory exercise, students studied the bromination of a 4,5-dimethyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid. The reaction has an unexpected outcome as bromination yields the aromatic product, 4,5-dimethylphthalic acid. Green chemistry modification involves application of a “bromide/peroxide reaction” with NaBr/H2O2 in an acidic medium as an in situ source of bromine. The experiment was carried out as a two-day exercise and the students integrated molecular modeling, interpretation of mass spectra, knowledge of stability of organic compounds, and knowledge of the reaction mechanisms of addition and elimination to explain the experimental outcome.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
