Aldol condensation occurs in aldehydes having α-hydrogen with a dilute base to give β-hydroxy aldehydes called aldols. This reaction is most commonly known as aldol condensation. If the condensation reaction occurs between two different carbonyl compounds it is called crossed aldol condensation.
Aldol Condensation can be defined as an organic reaction in which enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound to form β-hydroxy ketone or β-hydroxy aldehyde, followed by dehydration to give a conjugated enone. Aldol Condensation plays a vital role in organic synthesis, creating a path to form carbon-carbon bonds.
The general reaction of aldol condensation is
One of the common examples for base-catalyzed aldol condensation is stated below in which catalyst generally used is hydroxide ion.
Step 1: In reverse order, The hydroxide ion deprotonates the aldehyde.
Step 2: Here Enolate ion 1 adds to the unreacted aldehyde.
Step 3: Alkoxide ion 2 is protonated by water.
Step 4: A small amount of aldol is converted into enolate ion (4) by hydroxide ion.
Step 5: Here Enolate Ion(4) loses a hydroxide ion.Step 1 to step 3 illustrates the aldol reaction.
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Aldol Condensation
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Reaction between Benzaldehyde and Acetophenone:
The reaction between benzaldehyde and acetophenone undergo cross aldol condensation in presence of dil. NaOH. In this reaction benzaldehyde have no alpha hydrogen but acetophenone have alpha hydrogen so its undergo aldol condensation form β-hydroxy ketone. Furthermore, dehydration leads to the formation of the α, β – unsaturated ketone.
It is important to differentiate aldol condensation from various reactions of carbonyl compounds.
1. What is Aldol condensation? | ![]() |
2. How does the Aldol condensation reaction occur? | ![]() |
3. What are the applications of Aldol condensation in organic synthesis? | ![]() |
4. Are there any limitations or challenges associated with the Aldol condensation reaction? | ![]() |
5. How can the selectivity and yield of the Aldol condensation reaction be improved? | ![]() |