A complete quick-reference index of 15+ essential named reactions every organic chemistry student must know, with reactants, products, conditions and reaction type.
The reaction that builds a six-membered ring with a conjugated enone. Read the full Robinson Annulation guide →
Click any reaction name to learn more. Reactions are listed alphabetically within each category.
| Reaction Name | Key Reactants | Product / Outcome | Conditions | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson Annulation | Ketone with α-H + MVK | Cyclohex-2-enone (new 6-membered ring) | KOH / EtOH | Annulation |
| Michael Addition | Michael donor + α,β-unsaturated carbonyl | 1,4-Addition product | Base (cat. or stoich.) | Conjugate addition |
| Aldol Condensation | Two carbonyl compounds | β-Hydroxy carbonyl → α,β-enone | NaOH or H⁺ | Condensation |
| Claisen Condensation | Two esters (or ester + ketone) | β-Keto ester | NaOEt | Condensation |
| Diels–Alder Reaction | Conjugated diene + dienophile | Cyclohexene (6-membered ring) | Heat, sometimes Lewis acid | [4+2] Cycloaddition |
| Grignard Reaction | RMgX + aldehyde/ketone | Alcohol | Anhydrous Et₂O or THF | Nucleophilic addition |
| Wittig Reaction | Carbonyl + phosphorus ylide | Alkene (C=C) | Base, Ph₃P | Olefination |
| Friedel–Crafts Alkylation | Arene + alkyl halide | Alkylated arene | AlCl₃ (Lewis acid) | EAS |
| Friedel–Crafts Acylation | Arene + acyl chloride | Aryl ketone | AlCl₃ (Lewis acid) | EAS |
| Cannizzaro Reaction | Aldehyde (no α-H) × 2 | Alcohol + carboxylate | Concentrated NaOH | Disproportionation |
| Sandmeyer Reaction | Aryl diazonium salt + CuX | ArX (X = Cl, Br, CN) | Cu catalyst, cold | Nucleophilic substitution |
| Beckmann Rearrangement | Ketone oxime | Amide (ring expansion for cyclic) | H₂SO₄, PCl₅, or BF₃ | Rearrangement |
| Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation | Ketone + peracid | Ester or lactone | mCPBA or H₂O₂/BF₃ | Oxidation |
| Mannich Reaction | Carbonyl + amine + formaldehyde | β-Amino carbonyl (Mannich base) | Acid or base | Aminoalkylation |
| Knoevenagel Condensation | Active methylene compound + aldehyde | α,β-Unsaturated product | Amine base (piperidine) | Condensation |