Hell–Volhard–Zelinskii (HVZ)

Definition

The Hell-Volhard-Zelinskii (HVZ) reaction is a chemical process used to brominate the alpha position of carboxylic acids using phosphorus tribromide, resulting in alpha-bromo carboxylic acids. This reaction modifies the acidity of the alpha carbon, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack.

Related terms

Carboxylic Acids: Organic compounds containing a carboxyl group (-COOH), which are acidic and serve as starting materials for various chemical reactions including HVZ.

Bromination: A chemical reaction involving the addition of bromine to an organic compound, often increasing its reactivity by transforming less reactive carbons into more reactive ones.

Nucleophilic Attack: A fundamental process in organic chemistry where a nucleophile forms a bond with an electrophile, typically leading to the substitution or addition at carbon atoms adjacent to functional groups