Question

Predict the principal products to be expected in each of the following reactions; give your reasoning: a. \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CHO}+\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{CO} \stackrel{\mathrm{NaOH}}{\longrightarrow}\) b. \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{C}(\mathrm{OH}) \mathrm{CHCOCH}_{3} \stackrel{\mathrm{NaOH}}{\longrightarrow}\) c. \(\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O}+\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CCHO} \stackrel{\mathrm{NaOH}}{\longrightarrow}\) d. \(\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O}+\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{CHCHO} \stackrel{\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}}{\longrightarrow}\)

Short answer

a. Aldol product; b. α,β-unsaturated ketone; c. Aldol product; d. Aldol product.

Step-by-step solution

Analyzing Reaction a

In reaction a, we have acetaldehyde, \( \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CHO} \), and acetone, \( (\mathrm{CH}_{3})_{2} \mathrm{CO} \), under basic conditions with \( \mathrm{NaOH} \). The reaction is likely an Aldol reaction. The acetaldehyde, as it has an alpha hydrogen, will undergo deprotonation and form an enolate ion, which can attack the carbonyl carbon of acetone, providing an aldol addition product, \( \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH} (\mathrm{OH})\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{C(O)CH}_{3} \).

Analyzing Reaction b

Reaction b involves a β-hydroxy ketone, \( (\mathrm{CH}_{3})_{2} \mathrm{C(OH)CHCOCH}_{3} \), and \( \mathrm{NaOH} \). The identification is a dehydration step following the aldol addition (if previous steps involved aldol), leading to the formation of an α,β-unsaturated ketone. The elimination of water from the β-hydroxy ketone gives \( (\mathrm{CH}_{3})_{2} \mathrm{C} \text{=} \mathrm{CHCOCH}_{3} \).

Analyzing Reaction c

Reaction c involves formaldehyde, \( \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O} \), reacting with tert-butyl aldehyde, \( \left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CCHO} \), in the presence of \( \mathrm{NaOH} \). The formaldehyde can act as the nucleophile due to the basic environment forming an enolate-like species, which then attacks the carbonyl carbon of the tert-butyl aldehyde. The major product is likely \( \left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{CCH(OH)CH}_{2} \mathrm{OH} \) due to an aldol type reaction.

Analyzing Reaction d

Reaction d combines formaldehyde with isobutyraldehyde \( \left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{CHCHO} \) under basic conditions with \( \mathrm{Ca(OH)}_{2} \). The formation of an aldol product from the attack on isobutyraldehyde by the enolate form of formaldehyde could result in \( \left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{CHC(OH)CH}_{2} \mathrm{OH} \), after protonation.

Key concepts

Alpha Hydrogen

An alpha hydrogen is a hydrogen atom attached to the carbon adjacent to a carbonyl group. This specific positioning makes it more acidic than other hydrogen atoms in an organic molecule. The acidity is typically due to the ability of the enolate formation. In the case of an Aldol reaction, the alpha hydrogen plays a crucial role.

• The presence of an alpha hydrogen allows for deprotonation under basic conditions, leading to enolate formation.
• Acetaldehydes, like the one in the exercise, readily lose their alpha hydrogen to create a negatively charged enolate ion.

The enolate ion is not only stable but highly reactive, ready to further participate in addition reactions. This makes understanding the concept of alpha hydrogens fundamental in predicting the course of Aldol reactions.

Enolate Ion

The enolate ion is formed when the alpha hydrogen of a carbonyl compound is abstracted by a base. This ion is a resonance-stabilized intermediate, which can exist in two forms, namely, the keto form and the enol form. In Aldol reactions, enolate ions are key players, participating actively in the formation of new bonds.

• The enolate ion acts as a nucleophile due to the negative charge on the oxygen, allowing it to attack electrophilic species like carbonyl carbons.
• Its ability for resonance provides additional stability, making it a strong intermediate for reactions under basic conditions.

Recognizing the formation and role of enolate ions helps in understanding why certain products are favored and how they are formed in Aldol reactions.

Beta-Hydroxy Ketone

A beta-hydroxy ketone is a result of an Aldol addition. It's characterized by a hydroxyl group (–OH) on the beta carbon relative to a carbonyl group in a key step before any potential dehydration occurs to form α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

• In the exercise, after the enolate ion attacks the carbonyl carbon, it leads to the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond.
• This intermediate product is a beta-hydroxy ketone, named from the placements of the -OH group and the keto group.

Understanding beta-hydroxy ketones is essential for seeing how these intermediates can easily dehydrate, given their structural setup, leading to the formation of more complex products.

Carbonyl Carbon Attack

In an Aldol reaction, one of the quintessential maneuvers is the attack on the carbonyl carbon, which is typically the electrophilic center. Due to the partial positive charge on this carbon, it becomes a prime site for nucleophilic attack by the enolate ion.

• The electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon is heightened by resonance and the polar nature of the C=O double bond.
• The enolate ion, having a negatively charged oxygen, is attracted to it, leading to the formation of a new C-C bond.

This attack is key to the Aldol reaction, setting the stage for the creation of intricate organic molecules, thus showing the importance of understanding how and why carbonyl carbon sites are typically chosen for these reactions.