Get to Know about Types of Organic Reactions and its Applications

Types of organic reactions can be broadly classified into different categories. Organic reactions is a chemical process that involves two or more substances, generally have the molecular interactions that produce a characteristic end result. The reactions takes place according to the reaction principle. Organic reactions can be classified into;

1.Thermal

This a type of types of organic reactions .This type of reaction causes the system to increase in temperature and the equilibrium between reactants and products is shifted to products. There are two types; exothermic reaction and endothermic reaction. Exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases heat in the form of energy, thus increasing the temperature of the substance as an effect of "heat" or Gibbs free energy released during reaction. On the other hand, endothermic reactions absorb heat from its surroundings thus lowering its temperature. This category also includes photochemical reactions that involves light

2.Electrochemical

These reactions involves electron transfer from one chemical compound to another and it is a chemical reaction that occurs between dissimilar elements. The rate of electric current generated determines the extent of reaction. Electrogenerated reactants are used in this type of reaction. These reactions is classified into two types; redox reaction and oxidation-reduction reactions. In the former, the reacting species are oxidizing agents and reducing agents. In the latter, the reacting species are electrolytes and electrolytes or collectors respectively.

3.Asymmetric

These reactions develop in such a way that the products produced as a result of the process are of different nature from each other. Asymmetric is another form of types of organic reactions. The reactions can be classified into; intramolecular and intermolecular reactions. In intermolecular reactions, two or more molecules in a substance bond reversibly. In intramolecular reaction, one part of an existing molecule is destroyed by another one in the same molecule in order for that part to react with its other parts resulting to improve the bond strength between them.

4.Photochemical

These reactions occur due to the effect of light energy which causes a change in state of one or both of the reactants. Photochemical reactions can be classified into two types; photosynthesis and photo-transformation. In the former, the products are produced by reaction of plants during photosynthesis process. In the latter, the important chemical reaction is photodegradation in which one molecule (or group of molecules) is converted to another one or group of molecules.

5.Redox

Redox reactions are the chemical reactions which involve the transfer of electrons from one compound to another. This category includes electrochemistry, oxidation, reduction and disproportionation reactions. Oxidation and reduction are defined as oxidation state or reduction state. When a species loses or gains electrons, reducing agent and oxidizing agent respectively, in this category of reactions. The products that result from the redox reaction can be obtained through de-reduction or de-oxidation process respectively. In non-stoichiometric redox processes, these terms are not used because some compounds are capable of acting both as reducing agents or oxidizing agents at same time. The non-stoichiometric redox reactions are further classified into; disproportionation, oxidation-reduction, electrodeposition and electrolysis.

6.Hydrolysis

These types of reactions involve the combination of water with other substances to form a new compound or product. This category includes; complete hydrolysis, partial hydrolysis and formation of salts. Complete hydrolysis requires the presence of both water and acid catalyst to ensure that the reaction is completed. This reaction occurs in an aqueous medium at low temperatures with minor effect on pH level, catalyzed by acids to produce polymers or polyelectrolyte polymerization, which involves dissociation into ions.

Application of organic reactions

1.Energy

As we know that organic reactions are an important source of chemical energy. The products of these type of reactions can be used as fuels, the chemical energy generated by combustion is converted into chemical energy when burned in a fossil fuel combustion reaction. This process is very beneficial in the industrial systems cause it has been used as a source of energy since ancient times. Generally, organic compounds are a very potent source of energy; they have high specific heat, chemical and thermal stability, high combustion efficiency and they releases less carbon dioxide below the conditions of their burning. This covers those compounds that are utilized as sources of fuel to power transportation, agriculture and industry. Some examples of these fuel compounds are ethanol, methanol and biodiesel.

2.Polymer Formation

Organic molecules can be converted into polymers through polymerization reaction. Generally, the polymerization processes are either cationic or anionic. Cationic process involves reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer(RAFT) of an alkynyl group to an olefin in the presence of nitroxide ion initiator which is responsible for initiating the polymerization reaction in a controlled manner.