Michael reaction

Definition

The Michael reaction is a nucleophilic addition of a carbanion to an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound. It results in the formation of a carbon-carbon bond, expanding the carbon skeleton of organic molecules.

Related terms

Carbanion:

A negatively charged carbon atom that acts as a nucleophile in various organic reactions.

α,β: unsaturated carbonyl compound - An organic compound that contains a double bond between the alpha (α) and beta (β) positions relative to a carbonyl group.

Nucleophilic addition: A type of chemical reaction where a nucleophile forms a new bond with an electrophile, typically leading to the addition of new groups to molecules