Named Reactions of Class XI and XII Organic Chemistry

Named reactions are very important in organic chemistry. These reactions are frequently asked in CBSE board exams, NEET, JEE, and other competitive examinations. This article provides a complete chapter-wise list of important named reactions from Class XI and Class XII organic chemistry.

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CLASS XI – ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

1. General Organic Chemistry (GOC)

• Wurtz Reaction
• Fittig Reaction
• Wurtz–Fittig Reaction
• Kolbe’s Electrolytic Reaction
• Frankland Reaction

2. Alkanes

• Wurtz Reaction
• Kolbe’s Electrolysis
• Frankland Reaction
• Hunsdiecker Reaction
• Hofmann Degradation

3. Alkenes

• Dehydration of Alcohols
• Saytzeff (Zaitsev) Rule
• Hoffmann Rule
• Markovnikov’s Rule
• Anti-Markovnikov Addition (Peroxide Effect / Kharasch Effect)
• Baeyer’s Test
• Ozonolysis

4. Alkynes

• Ozonolysis of Alkynes
• Acidic Nature of Terminal Alkynes
• Polymerisation Reactions

5. Aromatic Hydrocarbons

• Friedel–Crafts Alkylation
• Friedel–Crafts Acylation
• Wurtz–Fittig Reaction
• Nitration Reaction
• Sulphonation Reaction
• Halogenation Reaction

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CLASS XII – ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

6. Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

• Wurtz Reaction
• Fittig Reaction
• Wurtz–Fittig Reaction
• Finkelstein Reaction
• Swarts Reaction
• Sandmeyer Reaction
• Gattermann Reaction
• Hunsdiecker Reaction
• Dow’s Process
• Ullmann Reaction

7. Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

• Williamson Ether Synthesis
• Reimer–Tiemann Reaction
• Kolbe–Schmitt Reaction
• Dehydration of Alcohols
• Lucas Test
• Esterification Reaction

8. Aldehydes and Ketones

• Aldol Condensation
• Cross Aldol Condensation
• Cannizzaro Reaction
• Clemmensen Reduction
• Wolff–Kishner Reduction
• Rosenmund Reduction
• Stephen Reaction
• Haloform Reaction
• Perkin Reaction
• Benzoin Condensation

9. Carboxylic Acids

• Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky (HVZ) Reaction
• Esterification Reaction
• Decarboxylation Reaction
• Kolbe’s Electrolytic Reaction
• Reduction to Alcohol using LiAlH₄

10. Amines

• Hofmann Bromamide Reaction
• Gabriel Phthalimide Synthesis
• Carbylamine Reaction
• Hinsberg Test
• Diazotisation Reaction
• Sandmeyer Reaction
• Gattermann Reaction
• Coupling Reaction (Azo Dye Formation)

11. Biomolecules

• Peptide Bond Formation
• Hydrolysis of Proteins
• Mutarotation
• Fermentation Reaction
• Glycosidic Bond Formation

12. Polymers

• Addition Polymerisation
• Condensation Polymerisation
• Free Radical Polymerisation
• Ziegler–Natta Polymerisation

13. Chemistry in Everyday Life

This chapter mainly focuses on applications of chemistry. Very few named reactions are directly asked from this chapter.

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Most Important Exam-Oriented Named Reactions

• Wurtz Reaction
• Kolbe’s Electrolysis
• Friedel–Crafts Reaction
• Markovnikov’s Rule
• Anti-Markovnikov Addition
• Aldol Condensation
• Cannizzaro Reaction
• Clemmensen Reduction
• Wolff–Kishner Reduction
• HVZ Reaction
• Reimer–Tiemann Reaction
• Kolbe–Schmitt Reaction
• Sandmeyer Reaction
• Hofmann Bromamide Reaction
• Gabriel Synthesis
• Williamson Ether Synthesis

Conclusion: Learning named reactions helps students quickly identify reaction pathways, reagents, and products. Proper revision of these reactions can significantly improve performance in board exams and competitive examinations.