Senior Research Chemist Interview Questions and Answers

n-Buli and DMF can be used to convert certain functional groups through deprotonation and subsequent reactions.

• n-Buli is a strong base commonly used for deprotonation reactions.

• DMF (dimethylformamide) is a polar aprotic solvent that can facilitate reactions.

• The combination of n-Buli and DMF can be used to convert certain functional groups such as alkyl halides to alkyl lithium compounds.

• Care must be taken when handling n-Buli due to its pyrophoric nature.

Aldehydes can be converted to Wittig reagents through a two-step process involving the formation of a phosphonium ylide.

• React aldehyde with a phosphonium salt to form a phosphonium ylide

• React the phosphonium ylide with an appropriate carbonyl compound to form the Wittig reagent

• The Wittig reagent can then be used in a Wittig reaction to form an alkene product

• Example: Conversion of benzaldehyde to benzylidene triphenylphosphorane

NBS (N-bromosuccinimide) is a chemical compound used as a brominating agent in organic chemistry.

• NBS is a white crystalline solid

• It is commonly used in organic synthesis to selectively brominate allylic and benzylic positions

• NBS is often used in conjunction with a radical initiator like AIBN to generate bromine radicals

Pyridine is a heterocyclic aromatic compound with a six-membered ring containing five carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom.

• Pyridine has a molecular formula of C5H5N

• It is a colorless liquid with a strong odor similar to fish

• Pyridine is commonly used as a solvent and precursor in organic synthesis