Question

Predict the aldol reaction product of the following compounds:

Short answer

Aldehydes and ketones with a hydrogen atom undergo a base-catalyzed carbonyl condensation reaction called the aldol reaction.

An aldol reaction combines two molecules of the reactant by forming a bond between the carbon of one partner and the carbonyl carbon of the second partner. The product is a b-hydroxy aldehyde or ketone, meaning that the two oxygen atoms in the product have a 1,3 relationship.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1:

Aldehydes and ketones with a hydrogen atom undergo a base-catalyzed carbonyl condensation reaction called the aldol reaction.

(a) mechanism of aldol reaction is :

(b) Product of the second reactant is:

(c) Product of the third reactant is: