Chapter 141 of 2363 min read
Named reactions: aldol, Cannizzaro, Clemmensen, Wolff–Kishner
Why this is asked: Cannizzaro reaction only happens on an aldehyde with no alpha-hydrogen — with an alpha-H present, concentrated base drives aldol condensation instead, so checking for alpha-H is the first move. Clemmensen reduction (Zn-Hg/HCl) and Wolff–Kishner reduction (NH₂NH₂/KOH) both take C=O to CH₂, but the choice between them depends on the rest of the molecule — Clemmensen's acid would attack acid-sensitive groups, Wolff–Kishner's base would attack base-sensitive ones.
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