An organic reaction is a chemical reaction involving organic compounds (compounds mainly made of carbon and hydrogen, often with oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogens, etc.).
In simple terms:
It is a process where organic molecules are transformed into new organic molecules through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
Key Points:
- Reactants → Products
- In an organic reaction, starting compounds (reactants) undergo chemical changes to form new substances (products).
- Types of Organic Reactions (broad categories):
- Substitution reactions – one atom or group in a molecule is replaced by another.
- Addition reactions – atoms/groups are added to a double or triple bond.
- Elimination reactions – atoms/groups are removed, forming a double or triple bond.
- Rearrangement reactions – the structure of a molecule rearranges into a different form.
- Oxidation–reduction reactions – involve changes in oxidation states of carbon atoms.
- Examples:
- Combustion of methane: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
- Hydrogenation of ethene: C₂H₄ + H₂ → C₂H₆
- Substitution in benzene: C₆H₆ + Cl₂ → C₆H₅Cl + HCl
- Importance:
- Organic reactions are the basis of making fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and almost all materials related to life and industry.