Clemmensen Reduction

Clemmensen Reduction

The Clemmensen reduction allows the conversion of a carbonyl group to the corresponding methylene group using zinc amalgam and concentrated hydrochloric acid. Due to its original harsh conditions, the Clemmensen reduction is rarely used in modern organic synthesis....
Wittig Reaction

Wittig Reaction

The Wittig reaction involves the formation of C–C double bonds, olefins, from carbonyl compounds and phosphorous ylides. The phosphorous ylides can be prepared from a triaryl- or trialkylphosphine (e.g., triphenylphosphine) and an alkyl halide followed by...
Ley-Griffith Oxidation

Ley-Griffith Oxidation

The Ley-Griffith oxidation enables the oxidation of primary or secondary alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. The central catalyst is tetra propylammonium perruthenate (TPAP), which is used in combination with the co-oxidant N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO). TPAP is a...
Pinnick Oxidation

Pinnick Oxidation

In the Pinnick oxidation, aldehydes are oxidized into their corresponding carboxylic acids using sodium chlorite, mild acidic conditions, and a scavenger. The reaction is also known as Pinnick-Kraus, Lindgren-Kraus, or Pinnick-Lindgren-Kraus oxidation. Despite the...
Claisen Condensation

Claisen Condensation

The Claisen condensation is a C–C bond-forming reaction between esters containing α-hydrogens in the presence of a strong base to give β-keto esters. If the ester enolate reacts with a ketone or aldehyde, a β- hydroxyester is formed (crossed aldol addition)....
Aldol Reaction

Aldol Reaction

The aldol reaction, aldol addition or aldol condensation, involves the addition of the enol or enolate of a carbonyl compound (nucleophile) to an aldehyde or ketone (electrophile). This reaction occurs under either basic or acidic conditions, leading to the formation...