Condensation Reaction Definition in Chemistry

A condensation reaction is a chemical reaction between two compounds where one of the products is water, ethanol, acetic acid,  hydrogen sulfide, or ammonia. A condensation reaction is also known as a  dehydration reaction. This type of reaction forms an addition product and water in the presence of a catalyst or under acidic or basic conditions. The opposite of a condensation reaction is a hydrolysis reaction. Condensation Reaction Examples Reactions that produce acid anhydrides are condensation reactions. For example: acetic acid (CH3COOH) forms acetic anhydride ((CH3CO)2O) and water by the condensation reaction2 CH3COOH → (CH3CO)2O H2OCondensation reactions are also involved in the production of many polymers. In organisms, biosynthesis reactions form peptide bonds between amino acids and are involved in fatty acid formation. Examples of named condensation reactions include aldol condensation, Dieckman condensation, Clasien condensation, and Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Sources Bruckner, Reinhard (2002). Advanced Organic Chemistry (First ed.). San Diego, California: Harcourt Academic Press. pp. 414–427. ISBN 0-12-138110-2.Condensation Reaction. IUPAC Copendium of Chemical Terminology (Gold Book). IUPAC.Voet, Donald; Voet, Judith; Pratt, Chriss (2008). Fundamentals of Biochemistry. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons, Inc. p. 88. ISBN 978-0470-12930-2.