The Gattermann rection, named for the German chemist Ludwig Gattermann, in organic chemistry refers to a reaction of hydrocyanic acid with an aromatic compound, in this case benzene, under catalysis with Friedel-Crafts catalyst (aluminium chloride).Catalyst used is Copper Powder in HX(X=Cl or Br) in the case of reaction of Benzene Diazonium Chloride(commonly known as BDC) instead.[1] The reaction is similar to the Friedel-Crafts reaction
It may include the reaction where a diazonium salt is converted to an aryl halide by using copper powder and hydrochloric acid as opposed to using cuprous salt of the halide as in the Sandmeyer reaction.[2] Although in many articles and books this reaction is also called Gatterman reaction.[3]