Addition Reactions: Reactions where a double bond is broken down into a single bond by the addition of two groups of atoms.
- Hydrogenation: two hydrogen atoms are added (H-H)
- Hydrohalogenation: one hydrogen and one halogen is added (H-Cl)
- Hydration: one hydrogen and one hydroxyl is added
- Halogenation: two halogen atoms (Cl- Cl)
Elimination Reactions:
The reverse of addition reactions.
Substitution Reactions: an atom or side chain is replaced by another atom or side chain.
- Mostly aromatic compounds
- Amines can be prepared by substituting the halogen of an alkylhalide by an ammonia
Condensation Reactions: new functional groups are synthesized as a result of the release of a water molecule
- alcohol + alcohol→ ether + water
- alcohol + carboxylic acid → ester + water
- amine + carboxylic acid → amide + water
Oxidation Reactions: Reactions where a hydrogen atom is lost or an oxygen is gained:
- Alcohols that occur in the middle of a carbon chain can oxidize to form ketones. (the H of the Alcohol is lost and a double bond results)
- Alcohols that occur at the end of a carbon chain can oxidize to form aldehydes. (the H of the Alcohol is lost and a double bond results)
- Aldehydes can further oxidize into carboxylic acides (an oxygen atom can be gained, forming an OH group)
