Hofmann rearrangement

noun

The organic reaction of a primary amide to a primary amine with one carbon atom less. It involves oxidation of the nitrogen followed by rearrangement of the carbonyl and nitrogen to give an isocyanate intermediate.

Similar
Hofmann degradation
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Meanings

nounHofmann rearrangement (plural Hofmann rearrangements)

plural Hofmann rearrangements

  1. chemistryThe organic reaction of a primary amide to a primary amine with one carbon atom less. It involves oxidation of the nitrogen followed by rearrangement of the carbonyl and nitrogen to give an isocyanate intermediate.

    Synonyms: Hofmann degradation

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe organic reaction of a primary amide to a primary amine with one carbon atom less. It involves oxidation of the nitrogen followed by rearrangement of the carbonyl and nitrogen to give an isocyanate intermediate.

Similar
Hofmann degradation
Also see
hofmann degradation

Origin

Named after its discoverer, August Wilhelm von Hofmann.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Hofmann rearrangement. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Hofmann%20rearrangement

MLA

“Hofmann rearrangement.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Hofmann%20rearrangement. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Hofmann rearrangement,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Hofmann%20rearrangement.

Source: Hofmann rearrangement on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.