Organic chemistry can feel tough, but mastering key reactions can make it easy. Here’s a list of important reactions that every Class 12 student must know, explained simply:
1. Aldol Condensation
- Happens in aldehydes and ketones with alpha-hydrogen.
- Two molecules join to form a beta-hydroxy aldehyde or ketone.
- Example: Acetaldehyde forms 3-Hydroxybutanal.
2. Cannizzaro Reaction
- Used for aldehydes without alpha-hydrogen.
- One molecule oxidizes, and the other reduces.
- Example: Formaldehyde forms methanol and formic acid.
3. Kolbe’s Reaction
- Turns phenol into salicylic acid.
- Involves CO₂ and NaOH.
- Example: Phenol + CO₂ → Salicylic Acid.
4. Williamson Ether Synthesis
- Makes ethers from alkyl halides and sodium alkoxide.
- Example: Ethanol + Sodium Methoxide → Ethoxyethane.
5. Friedel-Crafts Reaction
- Two types: Alkylation and Acylation.
- Adds alkyl or acyl groups to benzene.
- Example: Benzene + Acetyl Chloride → Acetophenone.
6. Hoffmann Bromamide Reaction
- Turns amides into amines.
- Needs Br₂ and NaOH.
- Example: Acetamide → Methylamine.
7. Gabriel Phthalimide Synthesis
- Prepares primary amines.
- Uses phthalimide and alkyl halide.
- Example: Phthalimide → Ethylamine.
8. Reimer-Tiemann Reaction
- Converts phenol to salicylaldehyde.
- Involves CHCl₃ and NaOH.
- Example: Phenol → Salicylaldehyde.
9. Haloform Reaction
- Produces haloforms (like chloroform).
- Involves compounds with CH₃CO group.
- Example: Acetone + Iodine → Iodoform.
10. Carbylamine Reaction
- Tests for primary amines.
- Involves CHCl₃ and alcoholic KOH.
- Example: Ethylamine → Ethyl Isocyanide.
11. Wurtz Reaction
- Combines two alkyl halides to form a higher alkane.
- Uses sodium in dry ether.
- Example: 2 CH₃Cl + 2 Na → C₂H₆ + 2 NaCl.
12. Finkelstein Reaction
- Replaces a halogen in alkyl halides with iodine.
- Uses NaI in acetone.
- Example: CH₃Cl + NaI → CH₃I + NaCl.
13. Sandmeyer Reaction
- Replaces the diazonium group in arenediazonium salts with halogens or cyanides.
- Uses CuCl, CuBr, or CuCN.
- Example: C₆H₅N₂⁺Cl⁻ + CuCl → C₆H₅Cl + N₂.
14. Gattermann Reaction
- Prepares aromatic aldehydes.
- Uses HCN and HCl in the presence of AlCl₃.
- Example: Benzene → Benzaldehyde.
15. Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky (HVZ) Reaction
- Brominates carboxylic acids at the alpha position.
- Requires red phosphorus and Br₂.
- Example: CH₃COOH → CH₂BrCOOH.
16. Rosenmund Reaction
- Reduces acyl chlorides to aldehydes.
- Uses H₂ with Pd/BaSO₄.
- Example: CH₃COCl → CH₃CHO.
17. Clemmensen Reduction
- Reduces carbonyl compounds to hydrocarbons.
- Uses Zn/Hg with HCl.
- Example: CH₃COCH₃ → CH₃CH₂CH₃.
18. Wolff-Kishner Reduction
- Reduces carbonyl compounds to alkanes.
- Uses hydrazine (NH₂NH₂) with KOH.
- Example: CH₃CHO → CH₃CH₃.
19. Perkin Reaction
- Forms alpha, beta-unsaturated aromatic aldehydes.
- Uses aromatic aldehyde and acetic anhydride.
- Example: Benzaldehyde → Cinnamaldehyde.
20. Stephen Reaction
- Converts nitriles to aldehydes.
- Uses SnCl₂ and HCl.
- Example: CH₃CN → CH₃CHO.
Tips to Remember
- Use mnemonics for groups and reagents.
- Practice equations regularly.
- Solve previous exam questions.
With these reactions in mind, scoring in organic chemistry becomes much easier!
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