Electrocyclic reaction

Definition

An electrocyclic reaction is a type of pericyclic reaction where a pi-bonded molecule cyclically closes to form a sigma bond, or vice versa, through a concerted process involving the cyclic movement of electrons. It is characterized by its dependence on the electronic configuration and often occurs under thermal or photochemical conditions.

Related terms

Pericyclic Reactions: Pericyclic reactions involve the rearrangement of sigma and pi bonds within a single step through a cyclic transition state.

Conrotatory Motion: In an electrocyclic reaction, conrotatory motion involves the simultaneous rotation of substituents in the same direction to open or close a ring.

Disrotatory Motion: Disrotatory motion describes the opposite simultaneous rotation of substituents, one clockwise and another counterclockwise, during an electrocyclic ring opening or closing