In organic chemistry, an electrocyclic reaction is a type of pericyclic rearrangement where the net result is one pi bond being converted into one sigma bond or vice-versa. These reactions are usually categorized by the following criteria:
- Reactions can be either photochemical or thermal.
- Reactions can be either ring-opening or ring-closing (electrocyclization).
- Depending on the type of reaction (photochemical or thermal) and the number of pi electrons, the reaction can happen through either a conrotatory and disrotatory mechanism.
- The type of rotation determines whether the cis or trans isomer of the product will be formed.
Read more about Electrocyclic Reaction: Classical Examples, Stereospecificity of Ring-closing Reactions, Stereospecificity of Ring-opening Reactions, Mechanism of Photochemical Reactions, Electrocyclic Reactions in Biological Systems, Electrocyclic Reactions in Organic Synthesis
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