In this experiment you will prepare 1-bromobutane (n-butyl bromide) from n-butanol (1-butanol) using a
substitution reaction under acidic conditions. This is an SN2 reaction. The mechanism is shown in Figure 7.1.
The purpose of the sulfuric acid is to first protonate the weakly basic hydroxyl group and thereby convert it into
a good leaving group. It can then leave as neutral water.
CH3CH2CH2CH2 OH
CH3CH2CH2CH2
H
H
O
H O S
O
OH
O
CH3CH2CH2CH2 Br
CH3CH2CH2CH2 O
H
H
H2O
O S
O
OH
O
Na+
+ +
Na+ Br - +
+
Figure 7.1 Preparation of 1-Bromobutane
+
1-butanol
1-bromobutane
sulfuric acid
sodium bromide
There is a side reaction that occurs that we cannot prevent: this is the formation of HBr from the reaction
of the sodium bromide, which is the source of the bromide nucleophile, and the sulfuric acid, which we need in
order to protonate the OH group of the alcohol. As shown in Figure 7.2, a significant equilibrium concentration
of HBr will form. HBr, like HCl, is a gas that is quite soluble in cold water, but not in hot water. Since you are
going to bring the mixture to a boil, HBr will escape from the apparatus. Being a strong acid, this gas will
cause damage to lungs when inhaled and will certainly sting your eyes. Your apparatus must be vented
appropriately, directly into the air vent above your bench (see Figure 7.3 for the proper set-up). A section of
glass tubing, bent to 90 °C, with rubber tubing attached, will be provided by the stockroom. Attach the glass
tubing to the top of the condensing column using your thermometer adaptor and then attach the rubber tubing to
your long stemmed funnel as shown in fig. 7.3. The funnel should be submerged in a 500 mL beaker that is
about 1/2 full of water. The HBr gas will bubble into the water and be absorbed by it. Be careful when you
finish the heating part of the experiment. When the heating is complete, be sure to remove the funnel
from the water immediately after turning off the heat. Otherwise you can create a back-suction and
water from the bath may be drawn into your reaction mixture.