Conjugate addition

Definition

Conjugate addition is a type of nucleophilic addition reaction where a nucleophile adds to the β-carbon of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde or ketone. This process expands the molecule by forming a new carbon-carbon bond, effectively incorporating the nucleophile into the molecule.

Related terms

Nucleophile:

A chemical species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond in reaction.

α,β: Unsaturated Aldehyde/Ketone - Organic compounds that contain a double bond between the alpha and beta carbons next to a carbonyl group, making them susceptible to conjugate addition.

Electrophile:

A reagent attracted to electrons that participates in a chemical reaction by accepting an electron pair in order to bond with a nucleophile