GAMSAT Organic Chemistry mechanism summary list with explanations
Key Points
For GAMSAT organic chemistry mechanisms, it is important to make sense of the reactions and avoid memorising.
Common GAMSAT topics and questions require you to follow the carbon chains (i.e. R, R', R'', R''').
You can find descriptions of the reactions in one of our Gold Standard GAMSAT YouTube videos (on the left) or you can find descriptions by scrolling down this webpage.
GAMSAT organic chemistry topics include questions related to stereochemistry and isomers which are not summarized by reaction mechanisms.
Once your content review is complete, practicing with realistic practice questions (i.e. ACER ebooks, Masters Series chapter-ending practice questions, Gold Standard or Heaps practice tests) will ensure that you are ready for the real exam.
Organic Chemistry Mechanism: Summary I
Organic Chemistry Mechanisms: Summary II
R = alkyl
Et = ethyl
X = halide
R- MgX+ = Grignard reagent
R- Li+ = alkyl lithium
Grignard reagents and alkyl lithiums are special agents since they can create new C—C bonds (see ORG 1.6).
*Reduction = addition of hydrogen or subtraction of oxygen. Mild reducing agents add fewer hydrogens/subtract fewer oxygens. Strong reducing agents add more hydrogens/subtract more oxygens. Cross-referencing to The Gold Standard GAMSAT textbook are found below.
Most reactions presented can be derived from basic principles (i.e. ORG 1.6, 7. 1). Many of the reactions are cross-refèrenced for further information.
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An acid chloride reacts with a Grignard reagent to produce a tertiary alcohol. See ORG 1.6, 9.1.
An acid chloride reacts with a primary or secondary amine to produce an amide. See ORG 9.3 & 11.2.
A carboxylic acid reacts with SOCl2 or PCl5 to produce an acid chloride. See ORG 9.1
An acid chloride reacts with an alcohol (e.g. ethanol) to produce an ester. See ORG 9.4.
An amide reacts with LiAlH4 to produce an amine. See ORG 8.2, 9.3.
A carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol (e.g. ethanol) to produce an ester. See ORG 8.2.
An ester reacts with LiAlH4 to produce a primary alcohol. See ORG 8.2, 9.4.
A carboxylic acid reacts with base to produce a carboxylate anion. See CHM 6.3 & ORG 8. 1.
An ester reacts with a Grignard reagent to produce a tertiary alcohol. See ORG 1.6, 8.1.1, 9.4.
A Grignard reagent reacts with carbon dioxide to produce a carboxylic acid. See ORG 8.1.1.
A nitrile reacts with aqueous acid to produce a carboxylic acid. See ORG 8. 1. 1.
A carboxylate ion reacts with ethyl iodide to produce an ester.
An alkyl halide reacts with Mg/ether to produce a Grignard reagent.
An alkyl halide reacts with NaCN to produce a nitrile. See ORG 6.2.3.
A nitrile reacts with LiAlH4 to produce an amine. See ORG 8.2.
A primary alcohol reacts with HBr to produce an alkyl halide.
An acid chloride reacts with NaBH4 to produce a primary alcohol. See ORG 8.2, 9. 1.
A primary alcohol reacts with CrO3/pyridine to produce an aldehyde. See ORG 6.2.2, 7.2.1.
A acid chloride reacts with H2/Pd/C to produce an aldehyde. See ORG 7.1, 7.2.1, 9. 1.
An aldehyde reacts with NaBH4 to produce a primary or secondary alcohol. See ORG 7. 1, 8.2.
An aldehyde reacts with KMnO4 to produce a carboxylic acid. See ORG 7.2.1, 8. 1. 1.
A carboxylic acid reacts with LiAlH4 to produce a primary alcohol. See ORG 8.2.
An imine reacts with NaBH4 to produce a secondary amine. See 7.2.3, 8.2.
An aldehyde reacts with a primary amine to produce an imine. See ORG 7.2.3.
An aldehyde reacts with a Grignard reagent and ether to produce a secondary alcohol. See ORG 1. 6, 7. 1.
An aldehyde reacts with aqueous NaCN. See ORG 7. 1.
A secondary alcohol reacts with Na2CrO7 or CrO3/pyridine to produce a ketone. See ORG 6.2.2.
A ketone reacts with NaBH4 to produce a secondary alcohol. See ORG 7.2. 1.
An acetal reacts with aqueous acid to produce an aldehyde. See ORG 7.2.1/2.
An aldehyde reacts with an alcohol (e.g. ethanol) and acid to produce an acetal. Note that using with less EtOH/H+, a hemiacetal will form. See ORG 7.2.2.
A ketone reacts with a Grignard reagent to produce a tertiary alcohol. See ORG 1.6, 9. 1.
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