SAM DISCIPLINE SCORE 40+
– ORGANIC NAMED REACTIONS (QUICK REVISION SHEET)
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CHAPTER 10: HALOALKANES & HALOARENES
A. MECHANISMS (SUBSTITUTION & ELIMINATION)
SN1 (Unimolecular Nucleophilic Substitution)
Step 1: R–X → R⁺ + X⁻ (carbocation)
Step 2: R⁺ + Nu⁻ → R–Nu
Favoured: 3° haloalkanes, polar protic solvents
Features: Carbocation rearrangement, racemisation
(optically active).
SN2 (Bimolecular Nucleophilic Substitution)
Single step: Nu⁻ + R–X → [TS] → R–Nu + X⁻
Favoured: 1° haloalkanes, polar aprotic solvents
Features: Backside attack, inversion of configuration.
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E1 (Unimolecular Elimination)
Step 1: R–X → R⁺ + X⁻
Step 2: R⁺ → Alkene + H⁺
Competes with SN1, follows Zaitsev rule.
E2 (Bimolecular Elimination)
Single step: Base + R–X → Alkene + HX
Requires β-H anti to leaving group; strong base.
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B. NAMED REACTIONS – HALOALKANES / HALOARENES
Wurtz Reaction
R–X + 2Na → R–R + 2NaX
Use: Symmetrical alkanes from alkyl halides (mainly 1°).
Fittig Reaction
Ar–X + 2Na → Ar–Ar + 2NaX
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Use: Biaryl (e.g., diphenyl).
Wurtz–Fittig Reaction
R–X + Ar–X + 2Na → R–Ar + 2NaX
Use: Alkyl arene (e.g., toluene from CH₃–X & Ph–X).
Finkelstein Reaction
R–Cl + NaI (acetone) → R–I + NaCl↓
Use: Halide exchange to give alkyl iodides.
Swarts Reaction
R–Cl + 2AgF → R–F + 2AgCl
Use: Preparation of alkyl fluorides.
Friedel–Crafts Alkylation
Ar–H + R–Cl + AlCl₃ → Ar–R + HCl
Use: Alkylation of benzene (carbocation electrophile).
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Friedel–Crafts Acylation
Ar–H + RCOCl + AlCl₃ → Ar–CO–R + HCl
Use: Aromatic ketones; less rearrangement & poly-
alkylation.
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CHAPTER 11: ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS & ETHERS
A. BASIC TRANSFORMATIONS
Alcohol Formation (SN):
R–X + KOH(aq) → R–OH + KX
Dehydration of Alcohols (E1/E2):
R–CH₂–CH₂–OH → Alkene + H₂O
Reagent: conc. H₂SO₄, heat; Zaitsev product.
Oxidation of Alcohols:
1° alcohol → Aldehyde → Carboxylic acid
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2° alcohol → Ketone
3° alcohol → No oxidation (no α-H).
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B. NAMED REACTIONS – ALCOHOLS / PHENOLS / ETHERS
Williamson Ether Synthesis
R–X + R′–O⁻Na⁺ → R–O–R′ + NaX
Best with 1° R–X (SN2); forms symmetrical or unsymmetrical
ethers.
Kolbe–Schmitt Reaction
Sodium phenoxide + CO₂ (heat, pressure) → Salicylic acid (o-
hydroxybenzoic acid)
–COOH mainly at ortho position.
Reimer–Tiemann Reaction
Phenol + CHCl₃ + NaOH → o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde
Introduction of –CHO group at ortho position.
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CHAPTER 12: ALDEHYDES, KETONES &
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
A. CORE TYPE – NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION
General:
R–CHO + Nu⁻ → R–CH(OH)–Nu
Carbonyl C is electrophilic due to C=O polarity.
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B. C–C BOND FORMATION
Aldol Condensation
2 R–CHO (with α-H) → β-hydroxy aldehyde → α,β-unsaturated
aldehyde (on heating)
Base-catalysed; self-condensation.
Cross Aldol Reaction
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Two different carbonyl compounds (at least one with α-H)
react → mixture of aldol products.
Perkin Reaction
Aromatic aldehyde + acid anhydride (NaOAc) → α,β-
unsaturated carboxylic acid.
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C. DISPROPORTIONATION / SPECIAL REACTIONS
Cannizzaro Reaction
2 R–CHO (no α-H) + base → R–COO⁻ + R–CH₂OH
One molecule oxidised, one reduced.
Haloform (Iodoform) Reaction
CH₃–CO–R + X₂ + NaOH → R–COO⁻ + CHX₃
With I₂: yellow CHI₃ ppt (iodoform test for –COCH₃ and CH₃–
CH(OH)–).
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D. REDUCTIONS OF C=O / ACID DERIVATIVES
Clemmensen Reduction
R–CO–R′ + Zn(Hg)/conc. HCl → R–CH₂–R′
Acidic medium; reduces C=O to CH₂.
Wolff–Kishner Reduction
R–CO–R′ + NH₂NH₂ / KOH, heat → R–CH₂–R′ + N₂
Basic medium; via hydrazone formation.
Rosenmund Reduction
R–COCl + H₂ / Pd–BaSO₄ → R–CHO
Controlled reduction of acid chloride to aldehyde only.
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E. AROMATIC SIDE-CHAIN / RING FORMATION
Etard Reaction
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Ar–CH₃ + CrO₃/pyridine → Ar–CHO
Oxidation of side-chain methyl to –CHO.
Stephen Reaction
R–CN → (SnCl₂/HCl) → Imine → (H₂O) → R–CHO
Reduction of nitrile to aldehyde.
Gattermann–Koch Reaction
Benzene + CO + HCl / AlCl₃ → Benzaldehyde
Formylation of benzene (–CHO introduction).
Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky (HVZ) Reaction
R–CH₂–COOH + Br₂ / P → R–CH(Br)–COOH
Α-Bromination of carboxylic acids.
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F. QUALITATIVE TESTS (NCERT)
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Tollens’ Test
R–CHO + [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ → R–COOH + Ag (silver mirror)
Positive for aldehydes.
Fehling’s Test
R–CHO + Cu²⁺ (Fehling’s sol.) → R–COOH + Cu₂O (brick-red
ppt)
Positive for aliphatic aldehydes.
Iodoform (Haloform) Test
Methyl ketone or CH₃–CH(OH)– group → CHI₃ (yellow ppt)
Characteristic antiseptic smell.
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CHAPTER 13: AMINES
A. IDENTIFICATION & FUNCTIONAL GROUP TESTS
Hinsberg Test
R–NH₂ / R₂NH + PhSO₂Cl (Hinsberg reagent)
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1° amines → soluble sulfonamide (in alkali)
2° amines → insoluble sulfonamide
3° amines → no sulfonamide, separate by extraction.
Carbylamine Reaction
R–NH₂ (1° amine) + CHCl₃ + KOH → R–NC + 3KCl + 3H₂O
Gives foul-smelling isocyanide; only 1° amines respond.
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B. SYNTHESIS OF AMINES
Gabriel Phthalimide Synthesis
Phthalimide + KOH → Potassium phthalimide
Potassium phthalimide + R–X → R–NH₂
Gives pure 1° aliphatic amines only.
Hoffmann Bromamide Degradation (Hoffmann
Rearrangement)
R–CONH₂ + Br₂ + 4NaOH → R–NH₂ + Na₂CO₃ + 2NaBr + 2H₂O
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Amide → 1° amine with one carbon less.
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C. DIAZONIUM CHEMISTRY
Diazotisation
Ar–NH₂ + NaNO₂ + HCl (–5°C) → Ar–N₂⁺Cl⁻ + 2H₂O
Forms diazonium salt.
Sandmeyer Reaction
Ar–N₂⁺Cl⁻ + CuX → Ar–X + N₂
X = Cl, Br, CN (using CuCl, CuBr, CuCN).
Gattermann Reaction (Aryl)
Ar–N₂⁺Cl⁻ + HCl + CuCl → Ar–Cl + N₂
Similar halogen introduction.
Balz–Schiemann Reaction
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Ar–N₂⁺BF₄⁻ (on heating) → Ar–F + N₂
Prepares aryl fluorides.
Coupling Reaction (Azo Coupling)
Ar–N₂⁺ + activated aromatic (e.g., phenol, aniline) → Ar–N=N–
Ar′
Forms coloured azo dyes.
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QUICK REVISION TIPS (BOTTOM MARGIN)
Confusing pairs:
• Clemmensen (acidic) vs Wolff–Kishner (basic)
• Etard vs Gattermann–Koch vs Stephen (all relate to –CHO)
• Finkelstein vs Swarts (halogen exchange)
Daily drill: Pick 5 reactions → recall reagent, substrate,
product, conditions.
KCET focus: Name → reagent → product type is more
important than full mechanism
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sharper.”
HALOALKANES & HALOARENES – REACTION ARSENAL
Core Mechanisms (Concept Scorers)
SN1:
R–X → R⁺ + X⁻ → R–Nu
Favoured: 3° > 2° > 1°, polar protic solvents
Features: Carbocation, rearrangements, racemisation
SN2:
Nu⁻ + R–X → [TS] → R–Nu + X⁻
Favoured: 1° > 2° >> 3°, polar aprotic (DMSO, acetone)
Features: Backside attack, inversion of configuration
E1:
R–X → R⁺ → Alkene + H⁺
Competes with SN1, Zaitsev product
E2:
Base + R–X → Alkene + HX
Single step, strong base, β‑H anti to X
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High-Yield Named Reactions
Wurtz:
R–X + 2Na → R–R + 2NaX
➤ Symmetrical alkane (mostly 1° R–X)
Fittig:
Ar–X + 2Na → Ar–Ar + 2NaX
➤ Biaryl (diphenyl etc.)
Wurtz–Fittig:
R–X + Ar–X + 2Na → R–Ar + 2NaX
➤ Alkyl arene (e.g., toluene)
Finkelstein (Halide Exchange):
R–Cl + NaI (acetone) → R–I + NaCl↓
Swarts:
R–Cl + 2AgF → R–F + 2AgCl
Friedel–Crafts Alkylation:
Ar–H + R–Cl + AlCl₃ → Ar–R + HCl
Friedel–Crafts Acylation:
Ar–H + RCOCl + AlCl₃ → Ar–CO–R + HCl
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ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS & ETHERS – HIGH-YIELD BLOCK
Core Transformations
R–X → Alcohol:
R–X + KOH(aq) → R–OH + KX
Dehydration (to Alkene):
R–CH₂–CH₂–OH → Alkene + H₂O
(conc. H₂SO₄, heat)
Oxidation Ladder:
1° ROH → Aldehyde → Carboxylic acid
2° ROH → Ketone
3° ROH → No oxidation (no α‑H)
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Named Reactions
Williamson Ether Synthesis:
R–X + R′–O⁻Na⁺ → R–O–R′ + NaX
➤ Best: 1° R–X (SN2)
Kolbe–Schmitt:
Sodium phenoxide + CO₂ (heat, pressure) → Salicylic acid
➤ –COOH mainly at ortho
Reimer–Tiemann:
Phenol + CHCl₃ + NaOH → o‑Hydroxybenzaldehyde
➤ –CHO at ortho
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ALDEHYDES, KETONES & CARBOXYLIC ACIDS – RANK BOOSTERS
Core: Nucleophilic Addition
General:
R–CHO + Nu⁻ → R–CH(OH)–Nu
➤ Carbonyl C is strongly electrophilic.
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C–C Bond Forming
Aldol Condensation:
2 R–CHO (α‑H present) → β‑hydroxy aldehyde → α,β‑unsaturated aldehyde (on heating)
Cross Aldol:
Two different carbonyl compounds (≥1 with α‑H) → mixture of aldol products
Perkin Reaction:
Aromatic aldehyde + acid anhydride (NaOAc) → α,β‑unsaturated acid
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Redox Special Reactions
Cannizzaro:
2 R–CHO (no α‑H) + base → R–COO⁻ + R–CH₂OH
Haloform / Iodoform:
CH₃–CO–R + X₂ + NaOH → R–COO⁻ + CHX₃
(for CH₃–CO– and CH₃–CH(OH)– groups)
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Reductions of C=O / Acyl Group
Clemmensen Reduction (Acidic):
R–CO–R′ + Zn(Hg)/HCl → R–CH₂–R′
Wolff–Kishner Reduction (Basic):
R–CO–R′ + NH₂NH₂/KOH, heat → R–CH₂–R′ + N₂
Rosenmund:
R–COCl + H₂/Pd–BaSO₄ → R–CHO
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Side-Chain & Ring –CHO/α‑Br
Etard:
Ar–CH₃ + CrO₃/pyridine → Ar–CHO
Stephen:
R–CN → (SnCl₂/HCl) → Imine → hydrolysis → R–CHO
Gattermann–Koch:
Benzene + CO + HCl/AlCl₃ → Benzaldehyde
HVZ (Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky):
R–CH₂–COOH + Br₂/P → R–CH(Br)–COOH
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Qualitative Test Set (Direct MCQ Zone)
Tollens’ Test:
R–CHO + [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ → R–COOH + Ag (silver mirror)
Fehling’s Test:
R–CHO + Cu²⁺ → R–COOH + Cu₂O (brick-red ppt)
Iodoform Test:
Positive for CH₃–CO– and CH₃–CH(OH)– → yellow CHI₃ ppt
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AMINES – SCORESHEET REACTIONS
Identification & Tests
Hinsberg Test:
R–NH₂ / R₂NH + PhSO₂Cl → sulfonamide
➤ 1°, 2°, 3° amines distinguished by solubility in alkali
Carbylamine Reaction:
R–NH₂ (1° amine) + CHCl₃ + KOH → R–NC + bad smell
➤ Only 1° amines respond
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Synthesis Reactions
Gabriel Phthalimide Synthesis:
Phthalimide → (KOH) → potassium phthalimide → (R–X) → R–NH₂
➤ Pure 1° aliphatic amines only
Hoffmann Bromamide Degradation:
R–CONH₂ + Br₂ + 4NaOH → R–NH₂ + Na₂CO₃ + 2NaBr + 2H₂O
➤ Amide → 1° amine (one C less)
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Diazonium & Azo – Colour & Conversion Zone
Diazotisation:
Ar–NH₂ + NaNO₂ + HCl (–5°C) → Ar–N₂⁺Cl⁻
Sandmeyer:
Ar–N₂⁺Cl⁻ + CuX → Ar–X + N₂ (X = Cl, Br, CN)
Gattermann (Aryl):
Ar–N₂⁺Cl⁻ + HCl + CuCl → Ar–Cl + N₂
Balz–Schiemann:
Ar–N₂⁺BF₄⁻ (heat) → Ar–F + N₂
Coupling (Azo):
Ar–N₂⁺ + activated aromatic (phenol/aniline) → Ar–N=N–Ar′
➤ Formation of coloured azo dyes
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NAMED TESTS SNAPSHOT (NCERT FAVOURITE)
Tollens’ Test – Silver mirror → Aldehyde
Fehling’s Test – Brick-red ppt → Aliphatic aldehyde
Iodoform Test – Yellow CHI₃ → CH₃–CO– / CH₃–CH(OH)– groups
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HOW TO TURN THIS SHEET INTO 40+ MARKS
7‑Day Drill Plan (Super Short):
Day 1–2: Haloalkanes + Alcohols/Phenols/Ethers
Day 3–4: Aldehydes/Ketones/Acids + all tests
Day 5: Amines + diazonium + coupling
Day 6: Rapid recall: write reagents from memory
Day 7: Only PYQs + mock reactions (KCET/JEE level)
Smart Recall Rule:
For every reaction, be able to answer instantly:
Name → Substrate → Reagent → Product type (alkane/aldehyde/acid/amine etc.)
Confusing Pairs to Master (High Chance MCQs):
Clemmensen (acidic) vs Wolff–Kishner (basic)
Etard vs Gattermann–Koch vs Stephen (all give –CHO)
Finkelstein vs Swarts (halogen exchange)
Friedel–Crafts Alkylation vs Acylation