Named reactions are a backbone of the Organic section in CSIR-NET. Examiners rarely ask “what is the product” in isolation — they test the mechanism, stereochemistry, regioselectivity and applications. Learn each reaction as a small story: reagents → mechanism → product → what controls selectivity.
C–C bond formation (study these first)
- Aldol & Claisen condensations — enolate chemistry; know cross-aldol selectivity.
- Grignard & organolithium additions — to carbonyls, nitriles, CO₂.
- Wittig reaction — alkene geometry from stabilised vs non-stabilised ylides.
- Michael addition & Mannich reaction — conjugate addition; iminium chemistry.
- Diels–Alder — endo rule, regiochemistry, FMO reasoning.
Rearrangements (high-frequency)
- Beckmann (oximes → amides), Hofmann & Curtius (to amines/isocyanates)
- Pinacol–pinacolone, Baeyer–Villiger (migratory aptitude!)
- Claisen & Cope sigmatropic rearrangements
Oxidations & reductions
- Clemmensen vs Wolff–Kishner — acidic vs basic C=O → CH₂
- Birch reduction — regiochemistry with EDG/EWG
- Swern / DMP / PCC — controlled alcohol oxidations
How to study them so they stick
For each reaction, write the mechanism by hand, mark the stereochemistry, and note one selectivity rule (e.g., migratory aptitude in Baeyer–Villiger). Then drill MCQs that combine reactions in a sequence — that’s how Part C tests them.
Practise the way the exam tests you
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