University Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 387-389.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202406032

• Between Teacher and Student • Previous Articles     Next Articles

(m + n + …) or [m + n + …] cycloaddition?

Zhanhui Yang, Jiaxi Xu   

  1. Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
  • Received:2024-06-11 Accepted:2024-10-23 Published:2025-03-19
  • Contact: Zhanhui Yang E-mail:zhyang@mail.buct.edu.cn

Abstract: The two systems of notations for cycloaddition reactions, namely (m + n + …) or [m + n + …], are misused in academic publications. This paper introduces the accurate IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) definitions of the two systems of notations, and points out the guidelines for accurately using the two systems for describing a cycloaddition reaction.

Key words: Organic chemistry, Cycloaddition reaction, Number of atoms, Number of electrons, Higher-order cycloaddition