A rearrangement reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which the atoms or groups within a molecule shift their positions, resulting in a new structural arrangement of the same atoms. Importantly, no atoms are added or removed—only their connectivity changes.
Key Features of Rearrangement Reactions
- Same Molecular Formula: The overall composition of the molecule remains unchanged.
- Change in Structure: The molecule changes its internal structure, often forming a more stable or reactive product.
- Occurs in Organic Compounds: Common in carbocations, alcohols, ketones, and other organic molecules.
Examples
- Conversion of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones
- Beckmann rearrangement: Conversion of oximes to amides
- Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement: Shifting of alkyl groups in carbocations
Applications
- Important in organic synthesis to produce pharmaceuticals, dyes, and polymers
- Helps in restructuring molecules to obtain desired functional groups
In short: A rearrangement reaction is when a molecule reorganizes its atoms internally to form a new structure, without adding or removing any atoms.