Addition Reactions

The Structural Approach

• Let us take the example of an addition reaction and illustrate the point.
• If you consider them as reactions of ethene, then, you know just five reactions.
• But are these reactions of ethene or are these reactions due to the Pi bond in the compound?
• Which is more appropriate?
• Obviously they are reactions due to the Pi bond.
• Now there are supposed to be 10 million organic compounds known today, if you study them one after another (preparation properties and uses) 10 life times may not be enough.
• But the structural approach changes this. Out of 10 million there should be at least 100 thousand compounds, which have a pi bond, is it not?

So right now can’t you say you know five reactions of 100 thousand organic compounds. Yes you can.

Thus following the structural approach you will be able to answer questions about compounds you have never heard before. This is the basis of the first of the series of exercises that follow. If you are unable to answer any question just remember they are addition reactions and go back and read what happens in such reactions.