Organic Chemistry accounts for 30% of the NEB Class 12 Chemistry theory paper. Memorizing reactions in isolation fails; understanding electrophilic and nucleophilic pathways is key.
1. The 10 Essential Named Reactions
- Aldol Condensation: Reaction of carbonyl compounds with $\alpha$-hydrogen in presence of dilute alkali.
- Cannizzaro Reaction: Disproportionation of benzaldehyde or formaldehyde lacking $\alpha$-hydrogen.
- Clemmensen & Wolff-Kishner Reductions: Carbonyl to methylene conversion ($>C=O \rightarrow >CH_2$).
- Hoffmann Bromamide Degradation: Primary amide to primary amine with loss of one carbon atom.
- Diazotization & Sandmeyer Reaction: Aniline conversion to chlorobenzene/bromobenzene.
2. Two-Step Roadmaps for Organic Conversions
Never memorize conversions verbatim. Learn functional group converters: Alcohol $\rightarrow$ Aldehyde (PCC), Aldehyde $\rightarrow$ Acid ($KMnO_4$), and Acid $\rightarrow$ Amide ($NH_3, \Delta$).
