This chapter discusses factors that affect the reactivity of organic molecules. Bond breaking and making are shown in terms of the bonding electrons, and these are followed using curly arrows. The formation and stability of reactive species—radicals, anions and cations—are discussed in terms of inductive and delocalization/resonance effects. The nature of electrophiles and nucleophiles is detailed. Primary reaction types—addition, elimination, substitution, and rearrangement—are introduced, along with the description of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams. Finally, the REDOX concept as applied to organic molecules is described
