Carbonyl compounds are easily subject to a nucleophilic reaction, which involves the breaking down of carbon-oxygen [katex]\left( {{\rm{C = O}}} \right)[/katex]

Below is the reaction of carbonyl compounds

Wittig reaction. This is used for organic synthesis to prepare alkenes using carbonyl compounds. After the reaction of carbonyl compounds with phosphorusylides, (2+2) is a cycloaddition reaction that forms a four-membered cyclic intermediary (oxophosphetane). This is followed by the formation phosphine dioxide to produce alkenes.

Below is the reaction scheme:

Formation of cyanohydrin: Carbonyl compounds in reaction with hydrogen cyanide [katex]\left( {{\rm{HCN}}} \right)[/katex]

Below is the reaction scheme:

Reaction of amine derivatives and carbonyl compounds

To make imine derivatives, the carbonyl compounds react with amines.

Below is the reaction scheme:

Carbonyl reduction: The reaction of carbonyl with Lithium aluminium hydroide [katex]\left( {{\rm{LiAl}}{{\rm{H}}_4}} \right)[/katex]

Below is the reaction scheme:

Protecting carbonyl compounds