
Gattermann reaction
Encyclopedia
The Gattermann rection, named for the German chemist Ludwig Gattermann
, in organic chemistry
refers to a reaction of hydrocyanic acid with an aromatic compound, in this case benzene
, under catalysis with Friedel-Crafts catalyst (aluminium chloride
).Catalyst used is Copper Powder in HX(X=Cl or Br) in the case of reaction of Benzene Diazonium Chloride(commonly known as BDC) instead. The reaction is similar to the Friedel-Crafts reaction

It may include the reaction where a diazonium salt is converted to an aryl halide by using copper powder and hydrochloric acid as opposed to using cuprous salt of the halide as in the Sandmeyer reaction
. Although in many articles and books this reaction is also called Gatterman reaction.
Ludwig Gattermann
Ludwig Gattermann was a German chemist who contributed significantly to both organic and inorganic chemistry.- Early life :...
, in organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
refers to a reaction of hydrocyanic acid with an aromatic compound, in this case benzene
Benzene
Benzene is an organic chemical compound. It is composed of 6 carbon atoms in a ring, with 1 hydrogen atom attached to each carbon atom, with the molecular formula C6H6....
, under catalysis with Friedel-Crafts catalyst (aluminium chloride
Aluminium chloride
Aluminium chloride is the main compound of aluminium and chlorine. It is white, but samples are often contaminated with iron trichloride, giving it a yellow colour. The solid has a low melting and boiling point. It is mainly produced and consumed in the production of aluminium metal, but large...
).Catalyst used is Copper Powder in HX(X=Cl or Br) in the case of reaction of Benzene Diazonium Chloride(commonly known as BDC) instead. The reaction is similar to the Friedel-Crafts reaction
Friedel-Crafts reaction
The Friedel–Crafts reactions are a set of reactions developed by Charles Friedel and James Crafts in 1877. There are two main types of Friedel–Crafts reactions: alkylation reactions and acylation reactions. This reaction type is a form of electrophilic aromatic substitution...


Sandmeyer reaction
The Sandmeyer reaction is a chemical reaction used to synthesize aryl halides from aryl diazonium salts. It is named after the Swiss chemist Traugott Sandmeyer....
. Although in many articles and books this reaction is also called Gatterman reaction.