1 Oximes prepared from aldehydes or ketones by reaction with hydroxylamine can be reduced to primary amines in high yields. One can use various reagents for the reduction step including Ni-H2 in methanol or LiAlH4 in ether. Using a reduction reaction, carry out the following transformations:
a. 3-Pentanone to 3-aminopentane
b. Propanal to 1-aminopropane
c. Benzaldehyde to benzylamine

2 When CuCN is used in the Sandmeyer reaction, the preparation is generally carried out in a neutral medium. Can you offer an explanation of why this is done?

3 Outline a synthetic route for the preparation of nitriles using a carboxylic acid as the starting material.

4 Ketones also undergo the aldol condensation, although a successful reaction often requires "enhanced" conditions, as the addition involves an unfavorable equilibrium constant. This is the situation in the reaction in which 4-nitrochalcone is synthesized. With the odds against it, why is the reaction successful in this case?