pericyclic reactions

Pericyclic reactions are a type of chemical reaction where molecules change structure through a concerted process, meaning bonds are broken and formed simultaneously in a cyclic transition state. These reactions often involve rearrangements of electrons within a ring of orbitals, such as cycloadditions, electrocyclizations, and sigmatropic shifts. They are governed by orbital symmetries and follow specific rules (like the Woodward-Hoffmann rules), allowing chemists to predict their outcomes. Pericyclic reactions are integral in organic synthesis, enabling efficient construction of complex molecules through controlled, predictable transformations.