Cascade reaction

Tandem reaction (also Domino or cascade reaction, Eng. Zipper Reaction) is a generic term for an intramolecular reaction sequence of often highly reactive, acyclic precursors to complex, multi-nuclear molecules. Thus, overall reactions have meant that actually composed of several independent reaction steps (not mechanistic steps ) exist, which occur spontaneously immediately after the other. You could also implement individually one after the other to get to the same product.

The starting material of a tandem reaction usually contains several functional groups, which are all almost the same time converted into a sequence of chemical reactions to complex target molecules.

The advantage of the tandem reaction in the reaction speed, which is often high, due to the intra-molecular nature. The selectivity is also high, since intermediates rarely need to be isolated, hardly accumulate byproducts and physical separation steps can be minimized.

The active reaction sites in tandem reaction are varied, for example, active double or triple binding sites or epoxides.

Can be used a variety of reaction types, such as Diels -Alder reactions, ring opening reactions, Heck reactions. or Pauson -Khand reactions.

Via tandem reactions, a wide range of target molecules are made, for example, polyether -conductor polymers on oxirane tandem reactions terpenoids Indoalkaloide and many other natural products.