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Related Concept Videos

Conjugate Addition of Enolates: Michael Addition01:08

Conjugate Addition of Enolates: Michael Addition

The attack of a nucleophile at the β carbon of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound is called conjugate addition. Conjugate addition reactions of active methylene compounds, such as β-diketones, β-keto esters, β-keto nitriles, and α-nitro ketones, are called Michael addition reactions.
Regioselectivity of Electrophilic Additions to Alkenes: Markovnikov's Rule02:17

Regioselectivity of Electrophilic Additions to Alkenes: Markovnikov's Rule

If a set of reactants can yield multiple constitutional isomers, but one of the isomers is obtained as the major product, the reaction is said to be regioselective. In such reactions, bond formation or breaking is favored at one reaction site over others.
The hydrohalogenation of an unsymmetrical alkene can yield two haloalkane products, depending on which vinylic carbon takes up the halogen. However, one product usually predominates, where hydrogen adds to the vinylic carbon bearing the...
Cyclohexenones via Michael Addition and Aldol Condensation: The Robinson Annulation01:27

Cyclohexenones via Michael Addition and Aldol Condensation: The Robinson Annulation

Robinson annulation is a base-catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of 2-cyclohexenone derivatives from 1,3-dicarbonyl donors (such as cyclic diketones, β-ketoesters, or β-diketones) and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl acceptors. Named after Sir Robert Robinson, who discovered it, this reaction yields a six-membered ring with three new C–C bonds (two σ bonds and one π bond).
Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview01:25

Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview

The addition of hydrogen bromide to alkenes in the presence of hydroperoxides or peroxides proceeds via an anti-Markovnikov pathway and yields alkyl bromides.
Preparation of Alcohols via Addition Reactions02:15

Preparation of Alcohols via Addition Reactions

Overview
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...
Conjugate Addition (1,4-Addition) vs Direct Addition (1,2-Addition)01:27

Conjugate Addition (1,4-Addition) vs Direct Addition (1,2-Addition)

α,β-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds with two electrophilic sites, the carbonyl carbon, and the β carbon, are susceptible to nucleophilic attack via two modes: conjugate or 1,4-addition and direct or 1,2-addition.
Conjugate addition results in a thermodynamically stable product. The reaction retains the stronger C=O bond at the expense of the weaker C=C π bond. The process is slow as the β carbon is less electrophilic than the carbonyl carbon.
Direct addition products are formed faster owing to...

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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Chemoselective Modification of Viral Surfaces via Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry
12:31

Chemoselective Modification of Viral Surfaces via Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry

Published on: August 19, 2012

Selective Biocatalytic Michael Addition Reactions.

Roland Wohlgemuth1,2,3

  • 1Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland.

Chemsuschem
|June 11, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Selective Michael addition reactions are crucial for sustainable synthesis. Catalytic and biocatalytic methods enhance efficiency and stereoselectivity, offering greener routes to complex molecules.

Keywords:
Aza‐Michael additionCarba‐Michael additionOxa‐Michael additionPhospha‐Michael additionThia‐Michael addition

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

  • Michael addition reactions are fundamental carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions.
  • These reactions involve nucleophilic donors and activated olefin acceptors.
  • Catalytic, diastereoselective, and enantioselective variants improve sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significance of selective and catalytic Michael addition reactions.
  • To emphasize the role of biocatalysis in sustainable synthesis.
  • To showcase the efficiency of one-step biocatalytic reactions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing various nucleophiles as Michael donors.
  • Employing activated olefins as Michael acceptors.
  • Exploring catalytic and biocatalytic approaches for enhanced selectivity and efficiency.

Main Results:

  • Michael additions achieve high atom economy by forming new bonds and saturating double bonds.
  • Catalytic and stereoselective reactions offer improved resource efficiency.
  • Biocatalytic Michael additions provide ecofriendly synthesis of diverse small molecules.

Conclusions:

  • Michael addition reactions are versatile and sustainable synthetic tools.
  • Biocatalysis offers a green and efficient alternative to traditional multi-step synthesis.
  • Advancements in catalytic and stereoselective Michael additions are key for green chemistry.