Enolate formation
Enolate formation Enolate formation Definition: When treated with a strong base, the α position of a ketone or aldehyde is deprotonated to give a resonance-stabilized intermediate called an enolate ion…
Enamine Hydrolysis
Enamine Hydrolysis Enamine Hydrolysis Definition: Treatment of enamines with water and aqueous acid leads to the formation of aldehydes or ketones and secondary amines. Enamine Hydrolysis Explained: Enamines undergo hydrolysis when treated with…
Enamine formation [R2NH]
Enamine formation [R2NH] Enamine formation [R2NH] Definition: When ketones are treated with secondary amines and heated with an acid catalyst, a condensation reaction occurs, resulting in the loss of water and formation an enamine. Enamine formation…
Cyanohydrin formation [CN(–)]
Cyanohydrin formation [CN(–)] Cyanohydrin formation [CN‾] Definition: When treated with hydrogen cyanide (HCN), aldehydes and ketones are converted into cyanohydrins which are characterized by the presence of a cyano group…
Conversion to ketones [Gilman reagents]
Conversion to ketones [Gilman reagents] Conversion to ketones [Gilman reagents] Definition: Addition of organocuprates (Gilman reagents) to acid chlorides results in ketones. Conversion to ketones [Gilman reagents] Explained: Organometallic reagents…
Clemmensen reduction to alkanes
Clemmensen reduction to alkanes Clemmensen reduction to alkanes Definition: Addition of zinc amalgam, Zn(Hg) and acid to a ketone results in an alkane. This is called the Clemmensen reduction. Clemmensen…
Cannizzaro Reaction
Cannizzaro Reaction Cannizzaro reaction Definition: When two moles of aldehyde is treated with sodium hydroxide, a reaction occurs in which one mole of aldehyde is oxidized (giving carboxylic acid) while…
Baeyer-Villiger Reaction
Baeyer-Villiger Reaction Baeyer-Villiger Reaction Definition: When treated with a peroxyacid (RCO3H), ketones can be converted into esters via the insertion of an oxygen atom. This transformation called the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. Baeyer-Villiger Reaction Explained: The mechanism of this reaction…
Alkylation of enolates
Alkylation of enolates Alkylation of enolates Definition: Enolates of carbonyl compounds will react with alkyl halides in SN2 reactions to give alkylation products. Alkylation of enolates Explained: Aldehydes and ketones generate enolates by treating…
Aldol Condensation
Aldol Condensation Aldol Condensation Definition: When heated in acidic or basic conditions, the product of an aldol addition reaction will undergo elimination to produce unsaturation between the α and β positions. Aldol…