Show how to convert palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid) into the following. (a) Ethyl palmitate (b) Palmitoyl chloride (c) 1-Hexadecanol (cetyl alcohol) (d) 1-Hexadecanamine (e) \(N, N\)-Dimethylhexadecanamide

Question: Explain the step-by-step conversion of palmitic acid into (a) ethyl palmitate, (b) palmitoyl chloride, (c) 1-hexadecanol (cetyl alcohol), (d) 1-hexadecanamine, and (e) N, N-Dimethylhexadecanamide. Answer: (a) To convert palmitic acid into ethyl palmitate, perform a Fischer esterification reaction by mixing palmitic acid with ethanol and a strong acid catalyst, such as concentrated sulfuric acid, and heating the mixture under reflux. (b) To convert palmitic acid into palmitoyl chloride, mix palmitic acid with a suitable reagent like thionyl chloride and heat the mixture. The hydroxyl group of the carboxylic acid is replaced by chloride. (c) To convert palmitic acid into 1-hexadecanol, mix palmitic acid with a reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride, in an inert solvent and heat the mixture under reflux. The carboxylic acid is reduced to a primary alcohol. (d) To convert palmitic acid into 1-hexadecanamine, first convert the carboxylic acid to an acid chloride using thionyl chloride. Then, mix the palmitoyl chloride with ammonia in an inert solvent to perform a Schotten-Baumann reaction. (e) To convert palmitic acid into N, N-Dimethylhexadecanamide, first convert the carboxylic acid to an acid chloride using thionyl chloride. Then, mix the palmitoyl chloride with dimethylamine in an inert solvent to perform a Schotten-Baumann reaction.