Remembering organic reactions is a big challenge for class 12 chemistry students. It can be difficult to remember a lot of reagents, catalysts and reaction mechanisms at once. If you are also looking for class 12 chemistry organic reactions tricks and shortcuts to cover your syllabus quickly, then this article is for you.
In this article, we will tell you some easy tricks and shortcuts that will help you remember important reactions on organic chemistry. Also, we will give an overview of the main reactions in a table format which will be very useful at the time of revision.
Best tricks and shortcuts to remember organic reactions
Let us now explore some class 12 chemistry organic reactions tricks and shortcuts that will make organic chemistry easier.
1. Mnemonic device (acronym to remember)
There are many reactions in organic chemistry which seem difficult to remember. Using mnemonics you can remember them easily. For example:
- Mnemonic for Cannizzaro reaction: “CAB – Cannizzaro, aldehyde, base“
- For Wurtz reaction: “WAN – Wurtz, alkane, Na(sodium)“
2. Classification according to functional group
Organic reactions are easy to remember based on functional groups. For example:
Functional Group | Important Reactions | Trick |
---|---|---|
Alcohol | Esterification | Acid + alcohol = ester |
Aldehyde | Cannizzaro reaction | No alpha hydrogen = Cannizzaro |
Ketone | Aldol condensation | Alpha hydrogen present = aldol |
Using Class 12 Chemistry Organic Reactions tricks and shortcuts you can remember the reactions systematically.
3. Follow the reaction pattern
If you understand the reaction pattern then you will not have to memorize it separately. Example:
- Nucleophilic substitution reactions always replace the nucleophile with an electrophile.
- Elimination reactions always remove a molecule and form a double bond.
If you look at the tricks and shortcuts of class 12 chemistry organic reactions step by step then it becomes easy to understand.
4. Use the mechanism, understand instead of memorizing
Many students try to memorize the reactions directly, but if you understand the reaction mechanism then it will be easy to remember. Example:
- SN1 and SN2 reactions: In SN1, carbocation is formed whereas in SN2, there is a one-step substitution.
- E1 and E2 reactions: In E1, a carbocation forms whereas in E2, the base removes a proton and an alkene is formed.
5. Chart of Important Organic Reactions
A concise chart comes in handy when it comes to revision time. Here is a concise revision table that covers the main part of your syllabus.
Reaction | Reagents | Products |
---|---|---|
Esterification | Alcohol + Acid | Ester + Water |
Aldol Condensation | Aldehyde/Ketone | Beta-Hydroxy Aldehyde |
Wurtz Reaction | Alkyl Halide + Na | Alkene |
Cannizzaro Reaction | Aldehyde + Base | Alcohol + Salt |
These Class 12 Chemistry Organic Reactions tricks and shortcuts will help you memorize the important reactions of organic chemistry systematically.
Last Minute Revision Tips for Class 12 Chemistry
If you are revising at the last minute for exams, these are the Class 12 Chemistry Organic Reactions tricks and shortcuts that will be useful for you:
- Use flashcards that have important reactions written on them.
- Make handwritten notes that come in handy for last minute revision.
- Solve MCQs and previous year questions so that you know what type of questions come.
- Do group study and make each other understand the reactions, it clears the concepts.
Conclusion
If you have trouble remembering organic chemistry then these Class 12 Chemistry Organic Reactions tricks and shortcuts can be a game-changer for you. Using mnemonics, functional group classification, reaction mechanisms, and revision tables you can easily understand difficult topics of organic chemistry.
Now all you have to do is practice and remember the smart tricks in organic reactions. Hope this article will help you score good marks in the exam!


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