Other Reactions of Organic Compounds

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Elimination Reaction Noun

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[ih-lim-uh-ney-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Elimination Reaction

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A reaction where atoms are removed from adjacent carbons, resulting in the formation of a new double or triple bond.

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Example: This image shows a molecule (alkyl halide) losing a hydrogen and a chlorine atom. This 'elimination' creates a double bond, forming a new molecule (alkene).

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Dehydrogenation Reaction Noun

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[dee-hahy-druh-juh-ney-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Dehydrogenation Reaction

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A specific type of elimination reaction where two hydrogen atoms are removed from a molecule, often forming an alkene.

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Example: The diagram shows a chemical reaction where a molecule on the right loses two hydrogen atoms (H) to become the molecule on the left, a process called dehydrogenation.

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Dehydration Reaction Noun

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[dee-hahy-drey-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Dehydration Reaction

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An elimination reaction where the components of a water molecule, a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group, are removed.

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Example: Two amino acid molecules join together by removing a water molecule. This process, called a dehydration reaction, forms a larger molecule called a dipeptide.

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Addition Reaction Noun

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[uh-dish-uhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Addition Reaction

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A reaction in which atoms are added across a double or triple bond, breaking the multiple bond to form single bonds.

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Example: This diagram shows an unsaturated ethene molecule adding hydrogen atoms across its double bond to become a saturated ethane molecule, which is an addition reaction.

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Hydration Reaction Noun

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[hahy-drey-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Hydration Reaction

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An addition reaction where a water molecule adds across a double or triple bond, typically forming an alcohol.

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Example: This diagram shows a water molecule (H₂O) being added to an ethene molecule, breaking its double bond to form a new, single-bonded molecule called ethanol.

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Hydrogenation Reaction Noun

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[hahy-droj-uh-ney-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Hydrogenation Reaction

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An addition reaction where hydrogen atoms are added across a double or triple bond, converting unsaturated compounds to saturated ones.

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Example: This diagram shows that a hydrogenation reaction adds hydrogen (H₂) to a molecule, breaking a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) to form a single bond (C-C).

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Oxidation Noun

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[ok-si-dey-shuhn]

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Oxidation

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A process involving the loss of electrons, often characterized by the gain of oxygen atoms or loss of hydrogen atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows the oxidation of glucose (an organic compound), where it reacts with oxygen to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

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Reduction Noun

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[ri-duhk-shuhn]

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Reduction

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A process involving the gain of electrons, often characterized by the loss of oxygen atoms or gain of hydrogen atoms.

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Example: In a redox reaction, reduction is the process where a substance, like atom B, gains an electron, causing its charge to become more negative.

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Combustion Reaction Noun

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[kuhm-buhs-chuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Combustion Reaction

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A rapid oxidation-reduction reaction where an organic compound burns in oxygen, producing carbon dioxide, water, and releasing significant energy.

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Example: A hydrocarbon fuel (like wood) reacts with oxygen from the air to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of heat and light.

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Substitution Reaction Noun

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[suhb-sti-too-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Substitution Reaction

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A chemical reaction during which one functional group or atom in a chemical compound is replaced by another functional group.

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Example: This diagram shows a substitution reaction where an ethane molecule reacts with chlorine. One hydrogen atom is substituted, or replaced, by a chlorine atom.