O-CHEM REACTION CHEAT SHEET

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering organic chemistry reactions including hydrogenation, oxidation levels of alcohols, esterification, and various functional group definitions.

Hydrogenation

A reaction that adds $H_2$ across a double or triple bond using a metal catalyst to remove the multiple bond, replacing a $C=C$ with a $C-C$ bond.

Hydration

A reaction that adds water ($H$ and $OH$) across a double bond to form an alcohol using $H_3O^{+}$ as a reagent, usually following Markov rules.

1° Alcohol Oxidation

Using an oxidant $[o]$ to oxidize a primary alcohol twice, first into an aldehyde and then into a carboxylic acid.

2° Alcohol Oxidation

Using an oxidant $[o]$ to oxidize a secondary alcohol once to form a ketone.

3° Alcohol Oxidation

A reaction where a tertiary alcohol is treated with an oxidant $[o]$; the outcome is no reaction.

Esterification

A reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol using an acid catalyst ($H^{+}$) to produce an ester ($C(=O)-O-R$ bond) and water.

Amidation

A reaction between a carboxylic acid and an amine using HEAT to produce an amide ($C(=O)-N-R$ bond) and water.

Hydrolysis

A reaction using water and $H_3O^{+}$ to break an ester or amide bond, resulting in a carboxylic acid and an alcohol (or amine).

Reduction (Carbonyl)

A reaction that adds $H_2$ or removes oxygen using a metal catalyst to convert a ketone into an alcohol.

Dehydration (Alcohol)

The removal of water from an alcohol to form a double bond (alkene) through the use of $H_2SO_4$ and $\Delta$ (heat).

Substitution

A reaction where one group replaces another, such as replacing a bromine atom ($Br$) in $R-Br$ with a hydroxyl group ($OH$) in the presence of $HO^{-}$ or $:O-H$.

Markov Rules

A set of guidelines that usually apply to hydration reactions to determine the addition of $H$ and $OH$ across double bonds.

Reagent: $H_2 / \text{metal catalyst}$

The reagents used in both Hydrogenation and Reduction reactions.

Reagent: $H_3O^{+}$

The reagent used for both Hydration (adding water) and Hydrolysis (breaking bonds with water).

Reagent: H_2SO_4, \text{ }\text{\Delta}

The reagent and condition used to facilitate the Dehydration of alcohols into alkenes.

Alcohol (Functional Group)

Identified by the symbol $-OH$.

Alkene (Functional Group)

Identified by the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond ($C=C$).

Alkyne (Functional Group)

Identified by the presence of a carbon-carbon triple bond (C \text{\equiv} C).

Aldehyde (Functional Group)

A carbonyl group located at the end of a carbon chain, represented as $-H$ attached to the $C=O$.

Ketone (Functional Group)

A carbonyl group ($C=O$) located between two carbon groups.

Carboxylic Acid (Functional Group)

A functional group with a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group attached to the same carbon ($-OH$ on the carbonyl).

Ester (Functional Group)

A functional group derived from an acid where the $-OH$ is replaced by an $-O-R$ group.

Amine (Functional Group)

Functional groups involving nitrogen atoms, such as $NH_2$ or substituted variants.

Amide (Functional Group)

A functional group consisting of a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom.

Drawing Tips

Maintain the same carbon skeleton, only change parts affected by the reaction, and add or remove $H$, $OH$, $=O$, or groups as required.