Organic Reactions Summary

Substitution

An atom/group in the chain is replaced by another

Family Reacts with Catalyst Products

Alkanes Halogens UV Light Haloalkane +
hydrogen halide

Aromatics Halogens FeBr3 or AlCl3 Halobenzene +

hydrogen halide

Aromatics Alkyl Halides AlCl3 Alkylbenzene +

hydrogen halide

Aromatics Nitric Acid Sulphuric Acid Nitrobenzene +

water

Alcohols Hydrogen halide ZnCl2 (Lucas Alkyl Halide +

Reagent) Water

Ethers 2 binary acids Heat 2 alkyl halides +

water

Ammonia Alkyl Halide NA Amine +

Hydrogenhalide

Addition

Adding groups (or atoms) to a chain by breaking a C=C bond

Family Reacts with Catalyst Products

Alkenes Hydrogen Platinum (Pt) Alkane

Alkenes Halogens CCl4 Haloalkane

(2 halogen
atoms)
Alkenes Hydrogen N/A Haloalkene
Halide (1 halogen
atom)
Alkenes Water H2SO4 + 100 C Alcohol

Alkynes: Same as alkenes, but require 2 moles of the 2 nd column to

fully saturate the triple bond.
Elimination

Removal of 2 atoms/groups to form a double bond

Family Reacts With Catalyst Products

Alcohols H2SO4, 100 C Alkene + water
Alkyl halides Hydroxide ion n/a Alkene + water
+ halide ion

Oxidation

Loss of electrons by the carbon atom (ox # goes down)

Reactions:

Alkenes are oxidized by either KMnO4 or K2Cr2O7 to produce an

alkane with two alcohol groups (diols)
Each C in the C=C bond gets an OH group

Alcohols are oxidized by the same as above to produce:

o Primary alcohol aldehyde carboxylic acid
o Secondary alcohol ketone
o Tertiary alcohol wont react

Aldehydes are oxidized by the same as above to produce a

carboxylic acid.
Ketones cant be oxidized. These properties can be a qualitative
test to distinguish between an aldehyde and a ketone

Oxidizing Agents:

KMnO4 turns from purple to brown in an aldehyde, and stays

purple in a ketone.
K2Cr2O7 turns from orange to green in aldehyde, stays orange in
ketone
Fehlings Solution: Copper (II) solution. Blue to orangish brown
precipitate in aldehyde, stays blue in ketone
Tollens Reagent (silver ions in ammonia) clear & colourless
black precipitate with silver mirrored coating in aldehyde, stays
colourless in ketone

Condensation Reactions
 Linking 2 molecules together by linking an H and an OH to
produce water

Family Reacts With Catalyst Products

Alcohols Each other H2SO4 + heat Ether + water
Alcohols Carboxylic Acid H2SO4 + heat Ester + water
Amines Carboxylic acid H2SO4 + heat Amide + water

Hydrolysis Reactions
Splitting apart of a molecule by adding water

Family Reacts With Catalyst Products

Esters Water H2SO4 + heat Alcohol +
Reversible carboxylic acid
Esters Water + Base Alcohol +
Irreversible carboxylate ion
+ metal ion
Amides Water H2SO4 + heat Amine +
Carboxylic Acid

Prefixes Indicating the Number of Carbon Ctoms

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Meth Eth Prop But Pent Hex Hept Oct Non Dec

Format of a Name
Branches Prefix for number C-C bonds Other
of Carbons functional
groups
Amino Meth ane ol
Chloro Eth ene al ** oic acid and
peroxidxe always
Nitro Prop yne oic acid come last
(because of the
nature of their
(in alpha (in alpha (in alpha names)**
order) order) order)

Common branches
-Br Bromo
-Cl Chloro
-F Fluoro
-I Iodo
-CH3 Methyl
-CH2CH3 Ethyl
-OH Hydroxy
-NH2 Amino
-NO2 Nitro
 Isopropyl

Tert-butyl

Naming Branched Molecules:

1. Identify the longest continuous chain or ring of carbon atoms
2. Number the carbons from the end that gives the lowest sum for the
number of branches
3. Name each branch and indicate its location with a number
4. List the branches in alpha order before the prefix for the number of
carbons

Alkanes
-all C-C bonds
-General formula: CnH2n+2 where n is the number of C atoms
Naming
-Use correct prefix to indicate the number of carbons
-ending is ane

Alkenes
-contain 1 or more C=C double bonds
-when naming, follow rules for alkanes except ending is ene
-the position of the double bond must be indicated for alkenes with 4 or more
carbons

Alkynes
-contain at least 1 carbon to carbon triple bond
-when naming, follow rules for alkanes except ending is yne
-the position of the triple bond is indicated for alkynes with 4 or more carbons

Cis and Trans

-double bonds preven the rotation of atoms around the bond axis, creating 2
distinct molecules
-cis form groups attached to the double bond are on the same side of the
double bond
-trans form groups attached to the double bond are on opposite sides of
the double bond
-cis and trans goes with the bond not the groups attached
-cis and trans do not occur in bonds that involve an end carbon

Aromatics (Benzene derivatives)

-use benzene as the main chain
 1. Identify the groups, number accordingly and put in front of benzene
in alpha order
2. For compounds with 2 groups attached, the following prefixes can
be used instead of numbers (Only for benzene):
a. 1,2= ortho (o)
b. 1,3= meta (m)
c. 1,4= para (p)
In reactions, meta is favored
Alcohols
-contain the hydroxyl group (-OH)
-3 types of alcohols:
-primary (-OH attached to C with 2 Hs [at the end of the chain])

-secondary (-OH attached to the C with one H)

-tertiary (-OH attached to a C with no Hs)

Naming
1. Determine the name of the main chain containing the hydroxyl group
2. Remove the e on the end of the main chain and add ol
3. Indicate the number to which the OH is bonded to starting at 3
carbons using the same rules for double or triple bonds
4. If there are multiple OH groups indicate this with the appropriate
greek prefix
Aldehydes
-contain the carbonyl group (C=O) attached to the end carbon
-name: suffix al

Ketones
-contain the carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a carbon that is not at the end
-name: suffix one

Carboxylic Acid
-contain the carboxyl functional group
-name: remove the e on the end, add oic acid

Ethers
-contain the R-O-R functional group
Naming:
1. The longest alkyl chain connected to the O is the base chain
2. Add Oxy to the end of the prefix for the other alkyl chain
3. Indicate the position of the ether linkage using a number in front of the
main chain

Peroxides
-contain the R-O-O-R functional group
Naming:
list the yl forms of the hydrocarbon chains in alpha order, followed by
the word peroxide
Esters
-Responsible for tastes and odor
-contain the ester linkage
Naming:
Use the yl form of the alcohol proceeded with the oate form of the
carboxylic acid

Amines
-contain the amino functional group
Types of amines:
-primary: 1 carbon chain (2Hs)
-secondary: 2 carbon chains (1H)
-tertiary: 3 carbon chains (no Hs)
Naming:
1. Determine the longest alkyl chain and use it as a base name
2. List the alkyl chains in alpha order with N in front of each to indicate
that they are on the N and not the main chain
3. After the names of the alkyl indicate the position of the amino group
and precede the base name with amino

Amides
-contain the amide linkage
-structurally similar to esters
Naming:
-name has 2 parts
Base name:
1. The prefix for the number of carbons in the chain containing
the carbonyl
2. add amide to the end
Before:
Indicate any alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen using N in
place of a number

Common Names
Formic acid=methanoic acid Acetaldehyde= ethanal

Formaldehyde=methanal Acetone= propanone

Benzoic acid Acetic acid= ethanoic acid
Benzaldehyde
 Simple Ways for Scoring in Organic Chemistry
Focussing on NCERT questions: The NCERT Part II comprises of
organic chemistry and contributes to 28 marks in the examination.
An analysis of previous years question papers depicts that many
questions are asked as it is from the NCERT textbooks.

The table given below shows the exact question numbers of the questions in
the NCERT book which have been asked in the examination. Note that, many
questions are being asked repeatedly.
Units Marks 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

Ex 10.2
Haloalkane Example (i)10.9
Table Example
s and 4 10.6, (i),
10.1 10.7
Haloarenes 10.17 10.14
(vii)

11.18 11.3
Alcohols, 11.20 (ii,
(ii), (ii),
Phenols 4 iv), 11.18 11.3 (v) 11.22
11.31 11.21
and Ethers (i, iii)
(iv) (ii, ii, vi)

12.12
12.13 Fig 12.2,
Aldehydes, (ii),
(i, iv), 12.11, Table
Ketones 12.16 (ii), 12.17
12.16 12.13 (iii, 12.1, 12.16 (ii),
and 6 12.19, (i, x,
(ii, iv), vii), 12.13 12.13 (vii)
Carboxylic 12.17 (iv) xi),
12.17 12.12 (i, (i)
Acids 12.16
(i, ii) ii)
(ii, iii)

Table
Ex 13.4,
13.1, 13.3 (I,
Amines 4 13.4 (ii) 13.7 (iii, 13.12 13.2 (v)
13.4 (i,ii, iii, v)
iv)
iii-a, iv)

14.12 (i), 14.12

Biomolecul 14.12, 14.17, 14.12 14.15,
4 table (i, iii),
es 14.13 14.22 (ii) table14.3
14.3 14.10

15.12, 15.12,
Polymers 3 15.2 15.11 15.12 15.17
15.16 15.15

Chemistry 3 16.15 16.21 (i) 16.15, 16.12, 16.15

in 16.17, 16.22
 Everyday
16.21 (i)
Life
So, mark these questions in the NCERT book and go through all the NCERT
solutions thoroughly. For this you can also refer to the NCERT solutions
section on meritnation.com
IUPAC Nomenclature questions: A conclusion from previous years
papers is that, 90% of the questions related to nomenclature of organic
compounds usually come from the tables of common and IUPAC names or in-
text examples present in NCERT book. Below is a summarized chart of all the
tables and in-text examples meant for nomenclature?

Haloalkanes and Table 10.1, example 10.1

Haloarenes and example 10.2

Table 11.1, 11.2, example

Alcohols, Phenols and
11.1 and in-text question
Ethers
11.3

Table 12.1 and intext

Aldehydes, ketones and
questions 12.1, Table 12.3
carboxylic acids
and in-text question 12.6

Amines Table 13.1

Note: Do not leave even a single compound from the tables and in-text
examples.
Name reactions: Important name reactions which have been asked
previously are Sandmeyer reaction, Williamson synthesis, Riemer-Tiemann
reaction, Kolbes reaction, Aldol Condensation, Cannizzaro Reaction,
Clemmensen Reduction reaction, Hoffmann Bromamide reaction, Coupling
reaction. So,we advise you to revise these reactions.

Distinction test: The distinction tests are usually asked between:

Aliphatic and aromatic compounds

Compounds having two different functional groups
Compounds having same functional group but different arrangement of
atoms (e.g., 1, 2, 3)

Steps for attempting these questions

Step I: See how many marks are allotted to the question. Remember, 1
mark is for 1 test.
Step II: Write the structural formulae of both the compounds.
Step III: See where the two structures differ in.
Step IV: Recall the reactions which you have studied.
Step V: Apply those reactions in the compounds keeping in mind the
skeletal structure they differ in.
 Conversions: Conversion based questions are surely going to come in
exams. Remember there can be multiple steps to reach the final product but
the shortest and feasible steps have to be written in the answer-sheet.

Please note CBSE has yet not asked any conversion which consist of more
than 3-steps.
Steps for attempting these questions
Step I: Read the question very carefully.
Step II: Write the starting compound on the left hand side and the final
compound on the right hand side.
Step III: See where do the two structure differ in.
(They mostly differ either in functional groups, number of carbon atoms or
both)
Step IV: Recall the reactions which you have studied.
Step V: Apply those reactions in initial compound so as to reach to the final
compound.
Expected areas from where questions can come in 2012
Expected areas from where
Unit questions can be asked in 2012
examination

IUPAC Nomenclature, SN1 and SN2

Haloalkanes and reaction (Question: Which compound
Haloarenes undergoes faster reaction?), DDT,
Iodoform

IUPAC Nomenclature, Conversions,

Alcohols Boiling points and solubilities,
Alcohols, Phenols and Phenols-Acidic properties, Difference in
Ethers the boiling points of ethers and alcohols,
Williamson reaction, Reimer-Tiemann
reaction

IUPAC Nomenclature, Nucleophilic

Aldehydes, Ketones and
Carboxylic Acids
addition on carbonyl carbon, Aldol
Condensation, Cannizzaro reaction,
Clemmensen reduction reaction, Acidity
of carboxylic acids (Question: Arrange
the following compounds in increasing/
decreasing order of their acidic trends.),
Distinction tests, Conversions

IUPAC Nomenclature, Basicities of

amines (Question: Arrange the following
amines in increasing/ decreasing order
Amines of their basic strengths.), Hoffmann
Bromamide reaction, Coupling reaction,
Aniline -Insoluble in water and does not
undergo Friedel Crafts reaction
 Glucose open chain and cyclic structure
(Question: Why was the open chain
structure of glucose unable to explain its
properties?), Proteins-Primary,
Biomolecules
secondary, tertiary and quarternery
structures, Vitamins Sources and
deficiency disease table 4.3,
nucleosides and nucleotides

Elastomer, thermoplastic and

Polymers thermosetting polymer, Rubber, Nylon 6,
nylon 6,6, teflon, bakelite, Buna-N

Detergents, Food preservatives,

Enzymes, Antifertility drugs, Analgesics,
Chemistry in Everyday
Artificial sweetening agents,
Life
biodegradable and non-biodegradable
detergents