Class 12 Chemistry Organic Reactions Map — All Named Reactions Flowchart 2027
All 30+ Class 12 Chemistry named organic reactions organized by chapter. Each reaction: name, reactants, products, reagents, conditions. Conversion pathways and memory tricks for board exams 2027.
In short: Every named reaction, conversion pathway, and reagent condition for Class 12 Organic Chemistry in table format. Organized by chapter (Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Aldehydes, Amines, Biomolecules). Bookmark this page and revise one chapter per day. No theory paragraphs — just the reactions you need to write in the exam.
Chapter 10 — Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
Named Reactions
#
Reaction Name
Reactants → Products
Reagent / Conditions
Board Marks
1
Wurtz Reaction
2R-X → R-R
Na, dry ether
2
2
Fitting Reaction
Ar-X + R-X → Ar-R
Na, dry ether
1
3
Wurtz-Fitting Reaction
Ar-X + R-X → Ar-R
Na, dry ether
1
4
Finkelstein Reaction
R-Cl → R-I
NaI, dry acetone
2
5
Swarts Reaction
R-Cl → R-F
AgF or Hg₂F₂
2
6
SN1 Mechanism
Tertiary R-X → R-OH
Aqueous NaOH (2 steps)
3
7
SN2 Mechanism
Primary R-X → R-OH
Aqueous NaOH (1 step, inversion)
3
8
Elimination (E2)
R-X → Alkene
Alc. KOH
2
Haloalkanes — Reactivity Order
Type
SN1 Reactivity
SN2 Reactivity
Elimination
CH₃-X (Methyl)
Lowest
Highest
Lowest
Primary (1°)
Low
High
Low
Secondary (2°)
Medium
Medium
Medium
Tertiary (3°)
Highest
Lowest
Highest
Halide Reactivity (Leaving Group)
Order
C-X Bond Strength
Reactivity
R-I
Weakest
Most reactive
R-Br
—
—
R-Cl
—
—
R-F
Strongest
Least reactive
Chapter 11 — Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
Named Reactions
#
Reaction Name
Reactants → Products
Reagent / Conditions
Board Marks
9
Williamson Synthesis
R-ONa + R'-X → R-O-R'
Dry conditions
3
10
Kolbe's Reaction
Phenol → Salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid)
NaOH then CO₂ (125°C, 4-7 atm) then HCl
2
11
Reimer-Tiemann Reaction
Phenol → Salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)
CHCl₃ + NaOH
2
12
Dehydration of Alcohols
Alcohol → Alkene + H₂O
Conc. H₂SO₄, 443 K
2
Alcohol Conversion Chart
From
To
Reagent
Reaction Type
Alcohol → Aldehyde
R-CH₂OH → R-CHO
PCC or CrO₃/pyridine
Mild oxidation
Alcohol → Carboxylic Acid
R-CH₂OH → R-COOH
KMnO₄/K₂Cr₂O₇ (acidified)
Strong oxidation
Alcohol → Alkene
R-CH₂-CH₂OH → R-CH=CH₂
Conc. H₂SO₄, heat
Dehydration
Alcohol → Haloalkane
R-OH → R-X
SOCl₂ / PBr₃ / PCl₅
Halogenation
Alcohol → Ester
R-OH + R'-COOH → R'-COOR
Conc. H₂SO₄ (catalyst)
Esterification
Alcohol → Ether
2R-OH → R-O-R
Conc. H₂SO₄, 413 K
Dehydration
Phenol — Distinguishing Reactions
Test
Observation
Inference
FeCl₃ test
Violet/Purple colour
Phenol present
Bromine water (Br₂/H₂O)
White precipitate (2,4,6-tribromophenol)
Phenol confirmed
Liebermann's test
Blue then green colour
Phenol confirmed
Chapter 12 — Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids
Named Reactions
#
Reaction Name
Reactants → Products
Reagent / Conditions
Board Marks
13
Aldol Condensation
2CH₃CHO → CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CHO
Dilute NaOH
3
14
Cross Aldol Condensation
HCHO + CH₃CHO → Mixed product
Dilute NaOH
2
15
Cannizzaro Reaction
2HCHO → CH₃OH + HCOONa
Conc. NaOH
3
16
Clemmensen Reduction
R-CO-R' → R-CH₂-R'
Zn-Hg / conc. HCl
2
17
Wolff-Kishner Reduction
R-CO-R' → R-CH₂-R'
NH₂NH₂ / KOH, ethylene glycol
2
18
Tollen's Test (Silver Mirror)
R-CHO → R-COO⁻ + Ag mirror
Tollen's reagent [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺
2
19
Fehling's Test
R-CHO → R-COO⁻ + Cu₂O (red ppt)
Fehling's solution (CuSO₄ + NaOH + tartrate)
2
20
HVZ Reaction (Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky)
R-CH₂-COOH → R-CHBr-COOH
Br₂ / P (Red phosphorus)
2
21
Rosenmund Reduction
R-COCl → R-CHO
H₂/Pd-BaSO₄ (poisoned catalyst)
2
22
Stephen Reduction
R-CN → R-CHO
SnCl₂/HCl, then hydrolysis
2
23
Etard Reaction
Toluene → Benzaldehyde
CrO₂Cl₂ in CS₂
1
24
Gattermann-Koch Reaction
Benzene → Benzaldehyde
CO + HCl, AlCl₃
1
Distinguishing Tests — Aldehydes vs Ketones
Test
Aldehyde Result
Ketone Result
Tollen's test
Silver mirror (positive)
No reaction
Fehling's test
Red precipitate (positive)
No reaction
2,4-DNP test
Orange/Yellow precipitate
Orange/Yellow precipitate
NaHSO₃
White crystalline product
White crystalline product (methyl ketone)
Iodoform test
Positive for CH₃CHO only
Positive for CH₃COR
Practice any chapter on Padhaao
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One molecule oxidized, one reduced (same aldehyde)
ILATE for integration
But for organic: think "reagent determines product"
Rosenmund = "Ro"asted slowly
Poisoned Pd catalyst = controlled/slow reduction
HVZ = "H"alogen on "V"ery first carbon next to COOH
alpha-bromination
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many named reactions are in Class 12 Organic Chemistry?
There are approximately 30-35 named reactions across Chapters 10-13 (Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Aldehydes, Amines). This page covers all of them with reagents, conditions, and typical board marks.
Q2. Which named reactions are most frequently asked in board exams?
Aldol condensation, Cannizzaro reaction, Williamson synthesis, Sandmeyer reaction, Hofmann Bromamide, and Carbylamine test appear most frequently across CBSE and State Boards.
Q3. Do I need to write mechanisms in the board exam?
CBSE typically asks SN1 and SN2 mechanisms (3 marks each). Other mechanisms (like Aldol) are rarely asked as full derivations but understanding them helps in conversion questions.
Q4. How do I remember so many reagents?
Group reactions by reagent type. For example: "NaOH appears in Aldol, Cannizzaro, Hofmann Bromamide, and Williamson." Making reagent-based clusters reduces memory load significantly.
Q5. Are conversion pathway questions common?
Very common. Expect 1-2 conversion questions (3-5 marks) in the board exam. The pathways listed in this page (Benzene → Aniline → Diazonium and Alcohol → Aldehyde → Acid) are the most frequently asked.
Q6. Is this list the same for CBSE and ISC?
CBSE and ISC share about 90% of the named reactions. ISC may include a few additional reactions (like Perkin condensation). State boards generally follow the NCERT list which matches this page.
