Chapter 4 An Introduction to Organic Reactions

4.1 General Principles of Organic Reactions A.Types of Reactions; The Reaction Equation In an organic reaction one organic compound is converted to another. Reactants bonds are broken and new products are formed. A reaction equation shows or describes what happens in a chemical reaction.

There are many varieties of chemical reactions in organic chemistry. However, most fall into one of three categories. 1. Substitution reaction- an atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group. C-A + B → C-B + A 2. Elimination reaction- the removal of a pair of atoms or groups from adjacent carbon atoms and forms a multiple bond. -C-C- → C=C + A-B B A

3. Addition reaction- atoms or groups add to adjacent carbons of a multiple bond (lose multiple bond). C=C + A-B → -C-C-