If you are preparing for the CBSE class 12 chemistry paper 2026, you must know about important named reactions. Every year, questions from organic chemistry are asked in the exam directly or indirectly. You may get questions where you have to finish a reaction, do a conversion, show the steps or explain why something happens.
At Aakash, we have trained lakhs of students for board exams and competitive exams. One pattern is clear. Students who know and have practised the important reactions score faster and with more confidence.
Let’s see the most important reactions and you will get to know the practical exam tips that actually work.
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Why Named Reactions Matter for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Paper 2026
In the CBSE class 12 chemistry, organic chemistry has a strong weightage. Many questions are directly asked from the chemistry class 12 chapters, like:
When you understand the organic chemistry reactions, you do not just memorise. You recognise patterns. CBSE board exam 2026 now focuses more on application-based reactions and not just definitions. So, having clarity is more important for you than speed.
Important Named Reactions in Organic Chemistry
Here are some of the all name reactions in organic chemistry class 12 that are repeatedly asked:
1. Wurtz Reaction:
Wurtz reaction is a coupling reaction in organic chemistry named after Charles Adolphe Wurtz. The Wurtz reaction leads to the preparation of higher alkanes. It is also beneficial in preparing alkanes with an even number of carbon atoms.
Two alkyl halides react with sodium metal in dry ether to form a higher alkane
Equation:
2R–X + 2Na → (dry ether) R–R + 2NaX
- R = Alkyl group (like CH₃–, C₂H₅–)
- X = Halogen (Cl, Br or I)
- Na = Sodium metal
- NaX = Sodium halide (like NaCl)
Why it matters:
- Direct equation questions
- Carbon chain formation questions
2. Fittig Reaction
Aryl halides react with sodium in dry ether, and the two aryl parts join together
Equation:
2 Ar–X + 2Na → (dry ether) Ar–Ar + 2NaX
- Ar = Aryl group (benzene ring C₆H₅–)
- X = Halogen
- NaX = Sodium halide
3. Friedel-Crafts Alkylation and Acylation:
The Friedel-Crafts reaction is used to produce the important dying agent triarylmethane. So, in this article, you will get a deep knowledge of the Friedel-Crafts reaction.
Benzene reacts with alkyl halide or acyl chloride in the presence of AlCl₃
Alkylation:
General Equation:
Ar–H + R–X → (AlCl₃) Ar–H + HX
- Ar–H = Aromatic compound (like benzene C₆H₆)
- R = Alkyl group (CH₃–, C₂H₅– etc
- AlCl₃ = Aluminium chloride (Lewis acid catalyst)
- C₆H₅R = Alkyl benzene
Acylation:
General Equation:
Ar–H + RCOCl → (AlCl₃) Ar–COR + HCl
- Ar–H = Aromatic hydrocarbon
- RCOCl = Acyl chloride (or Acid Chloride), the acylating agent
- Ar–COR = Acylarene (Aromatic Ketone) product
- HCl = Hydrogen Chloride (by-product)
Very important from the Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers chapter.
CBSE may ask:
- Reaction conditions
- Product formation
- Limitation of reaction
4. Sandmeyer Reaction
Aryl diazonium salt reacts with CuCl or CuBr to form aryl chloride or bromide.
General Equation:
Ar–N₂⁺X⁻ + CuX → Ar–X + N₂↑
- Ar = Benzene ring
- N₂⁺Cl⁻ = Diazonium salt
- X = Cl, Br
- N₂↑ = Nitrogen gas released
Important from the Amines chapter. Many board papers directly ask this reaction.
5. Gattermann Reaction
Similar to Sandmeyer, but uses HCl or HBr with copper powder
Ar–N₂⁺X⁻ + HCl/HBr + Cu → ArX + N₂↑
- Cu = Copper powder
- Rest symbols are the same as Sandmeyer
Students often mix these two. You need to revise the difference clearly.
6. Swarts Reaction
Alkyl chloride or bromide converts into alkyl fluoride using metal fluorides
Equation:
R–X + AgF → R–F + AgX
Or commonly,
R–X + SbF3→R–F
H₃C–X + AgF → H₃ R–F + AgX
- R = Alkyl group
- X = Cl or Br
- H₃C = Methyl group
- F = Fluorine
- SbF₃, AgF, Hg₂F₂, CoF₂ = Fluorinating agents
7. Aldol Condensation
The process of aldol condensation involves a nucleophile attack on a carbonyl to produce a ketone or aldehyde of β-hydroxy. The catalyzation of the condensation process can be carried out with the help of an acidic or basic solution.
Aldehydes or ketones with an alpha hydrogen react in the presence of a dilute base to form a beta-hydroxy aldehyde or ketone, which on heating gives an α,β-unsaturated compound.
General Equation:
2CH₃CHO + dil.NaOH→ CH₃CH(OH)CH2CHO
On heating,
CH₃CH(OH)CH2CHO→CH₃CH = CHCHO + H₂O
- CHO = Aldehyde group
- OH = Alcohol group
Very important from Aldehydes and Ketones.
Application-based questions are common in the CBSE class 12 chemistry paper 2026.
8. Wolff – Kishner Reduction
Aldehydes or ketones reduce to hydrocarbons using hydrazine and base
General Equation:
R₂C = O + NH₂NH₂ + KOH+heat → R₂CH₂ + N₂↑ + H₂O
- NH₂NH₂ = Hydrazine
- KOH = Strong base
- N₂ = Nitrogen gas
How Can You Remember All Name Reactions Easily
Students often ask how to remember all name reactions in organic chemistry class 12 without confusion. Here is what you can do:
Group by Chapter, Not Alphabetically
- Revise all the reactions chapter-wise from the chemistry class 12 chapters.
Example:
- Haloalkanes: Wurtz, Fittig, Swarts
- Amines: Sandmeyer, Gattermann
- Aldehydes & Ketones: Aldol, Cannizzaro
This reduces confusion.
Focus on Reagents and Conditions
The CBSE class 12 board exam will ask for reagents.
| Reaction | Key Reagent |
| Wurtz | Sodium + Dry Ether |
| Sandmeyer | CuCl or CuBr |
| Clemmensen | Zn Hg + HCl |
| Wolff-Kishner | NH₂NH₂ + KOH |
These small chemistry tricks help you save time in your exam.
Practice Conversion Questions
Most mistakes happen in conversion type chemistry chemical reactions.
Example:
- Convert benzene to chlorobenzene
- Convert aldehyde to alcohol
You might make mistakes here without knowing it. So you need to practice at least 20 mixed conversion questions before your CBSE class 12 chemistry paper 2026.
Smart Exam Strategy for Board Paper
Here are the CBSE class 12 exam tips we give after analysing previous year papers:
- Do Not Skip Reaction Mechanism: Even if the paper does not directly ask the full steps, knowing the steps helps you answer reasoning questions.
- Write Conditions Clearly: Marks are deducted if the reagent or temperature is missing.
- Underline Reaction Name: When writing an answer, underline the reaction name. It helps the examiner see your clarity.
- Revise NCERT Examples: Most board questions are directly from NCERT examples and back exercises.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Before your CBSE class 12 chemistry paper 2026, avoid these mistakes:
- Mixing Reactions
- Forgetting reaction conditions
- Memorising without understanding
- Ignoring simple organic chemistry reactions, thinking they are easy
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam 2026 – Important Articles
- 7 Days Strategy to Score 95+ Marks in Class 12 Chemistry
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- Easy & Smart Tricks to Learn the Chemistry Periodic Table
- Must-Practice PYQs & MCQs for Class 12 Chemistry 2026 – Chemistry Shortcut Tricks
- Top Scoring Topics in Chemistry Class 12 for CBSE Board Exam 2026
- Class 12 Chemistry 2026 Weightage Pattern: Organic, Inorganic & Physical Chemistry
Conclusion
To score good marks in the CBSE class 12 chemistry paper 2026, you do not need to learn hundreds of reactions. You just need to learn the most important named reactions in organic chemistry. Understand when they happen and what chemicals are used. Then practise properly. This way, you can easily score high in organic chemistry.
Stay consistent. Stay calm. Revise daily.
FAQs
1. How many named reactions are important for CBSE class 12 chemistry paper 2026?
You should clearly revise at least 15 to 20 major named reactions in organic chemistry from the NCERT. Most questions are based on these main reactions. Study them properly and you can do your best in your exam.
2. Are mechanisms important for the exam?
Yes. Even if the mechanism is not directly asked, understanding it is important for you. It helps you in solving reasoning and application-based questions.
3. How can I remember all name reactions in organic chemistry class 12 easily?
To remember all reactions easily, you can:
- Revise chapter-wise
- Make reagent tables
- Practise conversions daily
- Use simple chemistry tricks
Follow these to have an easy exam.
