Aldol Condensation

Question

Aldol condensation requires compounds possessing:

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Role of Base**: In an Aldol reaction, dilute alkali ($NaOH$ or $KOH$) is used to abstract a proton.
2. **$\alpha$-Hydrogen**: This proton must be taken from the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group (the $\alpha$-carbon).
3. **Intermediate**: The loss of this proton creates a **resonance-stabilized Enolate ion**.
4. **Nucleophilicity**: The enolate behaves as a nucleophile and attacks the carbonyl carbon of another aldehyde/ketone molecule.
5. **Requirement**: Without at least one **$\alpha$-hydrogen**, the enolate cannot form, and the reaction cannot proceed. For example, Methanal and Benzaldehyde do not undergo Aldol condensation (they undergo Cannizzaro instead).

Aldol Condensation

Select the correct option:

Solution

🔒 Solution Hidden from View

More aldol condensation Practice Questions

Benzaldehyde and propanone are warmed together with dilute base in a crossed aldol condensation, so ...

Warm dilute sodium hydroxide is added to ethanal and the mixture is then heated, so which carbonyl c...

Aldol condensation requires:

About This Question

Solution