Phrase guide

Birch reduction

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An organic reaction in which an aromatic ring is reduced to a 1,4-cyclohexadiene with an alkali metal (e.g. sodium) in liquid ammonia in the presence of an alcohol.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Named for Arthur Birch, a chemist who developed this reaction.