Chemik

But I thought the acid-base reaction leading to deprotonation of –OH was preferred over the Sn2 reaction. Why does NaCN react differently from NaOH?

Hello, is the product of this reaction correct? I'm just not sure if the oxetane is stable enough to form. Are there other possible products? The instructions say it should be an Sn2 reaction but none of the other reactions in this exercise have been intramolecular so I would like to be sure.

Why does the Organic Chemistry by John McMurry state: “carbonyl reduction is irreversible because the reverse process would require expulsion of a ery poor leaving group.” The re-oxidation of alcohol back to aldehyde is a well-known reaction. How could it be irreversible? The book also states the same with the reaction of aldehydes with Grignard reagents.