Types of Organic

Chemical Reactions
Lab Module 3

Far Eastern University

IAS – Dept. of Mathematics
Biochemistry Cluster
 Outline
• General Types of Organic Reactions
• Addition
• Elimination
• Substitution
• Rearrangement

• Specific Types of Organic Reactions

• Hydration and Hydrogenation of Alkenes
• Dehydration and Oxidation of Alcohols
• Reduction and Oxidation of Aldehydes
• Reduction of Ketones
• Reduction of Carboxylic Acids
General Types of Organic
Reactions
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Organic reactions can also be classified into four general types, based on the
structural changes an organic molecule undergoes. Namely, they are:

1. Addition Reactions
2. Elimination Reactions
3. Substitution Reactions
4. Rearrangement Reactions
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Addition Reactions
In an addition reaction, atoms are added to an organic molecule, usually at the
expense of a pi bond (double bond).

In these reactions, pi bonds are broken, and the liberated electrons form sigma
bonds (single bonds) with the atoms being added to the molecule.
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Addition Reactions
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Elimination Reactions
In an elimination reaction, atoms are removed from an organic molecule,
usually resulting to the formation of a double bond.
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Elimination Reactions
Dehydration
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Substitution Reactions
In a substitution reaction, atoms or groups of atoms are replaced by another
atom or group.
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Substitution Reactions
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Rearrangement Reactions
In a rearrangement reaction, atoms or groups of atoms are rearranged. The
number and types of atoms and bonds remain the same, but their positions
within the molecule change.

These can also be referred to as isomerization reactions, and the products

formed are called isomers. In some cases, rearrangement reactions are
followed by other reactions to form a very different product.
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Rearrangement Reactions
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Exercise: Identify what type of organic reaction is shown below.

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2.
 General Types of Organic Reactions
Exercise: Identify what type of organic reaction is shown below.

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 General Types of Organic Reactions
Exercise: Identify what type of organic reaction is shown below.

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Specific Types of Organic
Reactions
 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
The types of organic reactions an organic molecule can participate in is largely
dependent on the functional groups present.

In biochemistry, the biomolecules being studied are organic in nature, and will
behave similarly to organic chemicals.

Acetaldehyde (an aldehyde) undergoing oxidation to form

acetic acid (a carboxylic acid)

The carbonyl group of a sugar (a biomolecule) undergoing

oxidation to form the carboxyl group of a sugar acid.
 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Hydration of Alkenes
An addition reaction wherein the double bonds of an alkene are broken and
water is added to the molecule to form an alcohol.

Organic Chemistry Example Biochemistry Example

 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Hydrogenation of Alkenes
An addition reaction wherein the double bonds of an alkene are broken and
hydrogen atoms are added to the molecule to form an alkane (C-C bonds only).

Organic Chemistry Example

Biochemistry Example
 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Dehydration of Alcohols
An elimination reaction wherein water is removed from an alcohol to form an
alkene (C=C bond).

Organic Chemistry Example

Biochemistry Example
 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Oxidation of Alcohols
A redox reaction wherein an alcohol is oxidized into an aldehyde, a ketone or a
carboxylic acid, depending on the type of alcohol and the strength of the
oxidizing agent.

Organic Chemistry Example Biochemistry Example

 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Reduction of Aldehydes
A redox reaction wherein an aldehyde is reduced into a primary alcohol by a
reducing agent.

Organic Chemistry Example

Biochemistry Example
 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Oxidation of Aldehydes
A redox reaction wherein an aldehyde is further oxidized into a carboxylic acid
by a reducing agent.

Organic Chemistry Example Biochemistry Example

 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Reduction of Ketones
A redox reaction wherein a ketone is converted into a secondary alcohol by a
reducing agent.

Organic Chemistry Example

Biochemistry Example
 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Reduction of Carboxylic Acids
A redox reaction wherein a carboxylic acid is into a primary alcohol by a strong
reducing agent.

Organic Chemistry Example

 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Exercise: Identify what specific type of reaction is shown below.

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 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Exercise: Identify what specific type of reaction is shown below.

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 Specific Types of Organic Reactions
Exercise: Identify what specific type of reaction is shown below.

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