Visual Guide to Organic Chemistry Reaction Mechanisms

Visual roadmaps for the reactions and tests every chemistry student needs — see the mechanism, then read the full breakdown.

  • Understanding a reaction often starts with seeing it. This page collects the mechanism diagrams and test roadmaps used across ChemistrySH — from Tollens’ silver mirror to Baeyer’s unsaturation test — in one visual reference. Click any image to jump straight to the full explanation, procedure, and chemistry behind it.

From Diagram to Full Explanation

Each mechanism above is just the starting point. Below, you’ll find the complete guide for every test and reaction shown in the gallery — full procedures, expected observations, and the chemistry that explains why each result happens. Pick a topic and read the full breakdown.

Browse the Full Library

This gallery covers our most visual reactions and tests — but it’s only part of the picture. For the complete collection of chemical tests, physical tests, and compound identification guides, head to our full test library.