Hydroxyethanal has two functional groups. Name each of the functional groups in hydroxyethanal as completely as you can.
For each functional group, choose a reagent that reacts with that group and not with the other functional group present. For each one, describe the observation expected when the reaction is carried out.
Give the skeletal formulae for the organic compounds produced when hydroxyethanal is reacted separately with $\text{NaBH}_4$.
Give the skeletal formulae for the organic compounds produced when hydroxyethanal is reacted separately with $\text{Cr}_2\text{O}_7^{2-}/\text{H}^+$ under reflux conditions.
In a school or college laboratory, hydroxyethanal can be changed into aminoethanoic acid in three steps: $\text{HOCH}_2\text{CHO} \rightarrow X \rightarrow Y \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{NCH}_2\text{CO}_2\text{H}$. Use the likely reactions of the functional groups in hydroxyethanal to work out one possible pathway for this conversion. In the boxes below, draw the structural formulae of the intermediates $X$ and $Y$ that you suggest.
State the reagents for each of the three steps that you have chosen.