Reaction Pathways

[Wizard]

I was doing a question on reaction pathways: "You have an alkane, and you want to convert it into an alkanol. How would you do it?" I said use cracking/dehydrogenation to create an alkene, then use hydrolosis to get an alkanol. However, the answers say use chlorination, then submerge in aqueous potassium hydroxide. If I did this in an exam, will I get it wrong? Also, how are you supposed to know which one is the right pathway?

Thanks
 

[Mao]

I believe the term is 'substitution', where one functional group is substituted for another. This is what happens when you want to convert an alkane into something else.

Your method isn't necessarily incorrect, but it won't be accepted in an exam. You need to learn what substitution, addition and condensation reactions are, and where they are used.

[mark_alec]

I don't know how they would mark it in VCE, but your pathway would be acceptable at university. As long as each step in your pathway is correct, they have to give you the marks.