Frequently Asked Question

Named reactions are important in organic chemistry because they provide a shorthand way of describing a specific reaction or series of steps. Here are some common named reactions in class 12 organic chemistry:

Wurtz Reaction: A reaction of two alkyl halides with sodium metal in dry ether to form a higher alkane.
Grignard Reaction: The reaction of an organomagnesium halide (Grignard reagent) with a carbonyl compound (aldehyde or ketone) to form an alcohol.
Friedel-Crafts Alkylation: An electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction that uses an alkyl halide and a Lewis acid catalyst (like AlCl3) to add an alkyl group to an aromatic ring.
Friedel-Crafts Acylation: Similar to alkylation, but uses an acyl halide to introduce an acyl group to the aromatic ring.
Aldol Condensation: A reaction between two carbonyl compounds (aldehydes or ketones) in the presence of a base to form a β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone.
Cannizzaro Reaction: Disproportionation reaction of aldehydes that lack alpha hydrogens with a strong base.
Wittig Reaction: A reaction of a phosphonium ylide (formed from a phosphine and an alkyl halide) with an aldehyde or ketone to form an alkene.
Diels-Alder Reaction: A concerted [4+2] cycloaddition of a conjugated diene and a dienophile to form a cyclohexene derivative.
Hoffmann Bromamide Degradation: Conversion of a primary amide to a primary amine with one carbon less, using bromine and a base.
Sandmeyer Reaction: Replacement of an amino group in a diazonium salt by various groups like Cl, Br, or CN.
These are just a few examples. Understanding the mechanisms and applications of these named reactions is essential for mastering organic chemistry.