Blog

By James Ashenhurst

Two-Step Synthesis Problems – 20 Solved Examples

Last updated: April 8th, 2026 |

Think about learning how to do synthesis two reactions at a time.

When you learn a new reaction, take a moment and just think of one extra reaction you could do with that product.

Example. You learn free-radical halogenation of alkanes to make alkyl halides. What’s one reaction of alkyl halides?

  • Elimination (with base) to give an alkene
  • Substitution (with nucleophile) to give (e.g.) a nitrile
  • later on, formation of a Grignard reagent.

Eventually, you will find yourself piecing together these two-step syntheses into longer chains of sequences.

Here are 20 examples of two-step synthesis questions that are great building blocks for bigger things (OK, some are 3 steps)

  1. Chopping Off The Alkyl Group
  2. Walking Over The Alkyl Halide
  3. Making Molecules Alkynes of Ways
  4. Trans to Cis? Not A One Step Process
  5. Alkanes to Alcohols
  6. Protect That Alcohol!
  7. The Great Friedel-Crafts Workaround
  8. Styrene
  9. Polarity Reversal On A Ring
  10. Fun With Carboxylic Acids… and Esters
  11. Malonic Ester Madness
  12. Cyclohexenone
  13. Know What Amine?

Here are the relevant quizzes:

1. Chopping Off An Alkyl Group

Click to Flip

2. Walking Over The Alkyl Halide

Click to Flip

3. Alkynes of Ways To Make These

Click to Flip

The rest of this page is available to MOC Members only.
To get access to this page, plus over 2500 quizzes, the Reaction Encyclopedia, Org 1 / Org 2 summary sheets, and flashcards, sign up here for only 30 cents/ day!

 

Comments

Comment section

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.