Reaction chambers: one carbonyl, five pathways

1. Pick the carbonyl compound

How open and how δ+ the C=O carbon is (a fuller bar → faster addition)

2. Pick the reagent (the chamber)

3. Predict the product, then react

Pick a carbonyl, a reagent and your prediction, then press React.

The five pathways

HCN (base, CN⁻ attacks) → cyanohydrin · NaHSO₃ (S of HSO₃⁻ attacks) → bisulphite addition compound · RMgX in dry ether, then H₃O⁺ → alcohol with a new C–C bond (HCHO 1°, other aldehydes 2°, ketones 3°) · ROH, dry HCl → hemiacetal (OH + OR) → acetal (OR + OR); ketone + ethylene glycol → cyclic ketal · H₂N–Z (acid) → addition, then loss of H₂O → C=N–Z (addition–elimination).