Q.1. - Organic Chemistry

Question

Question: Draw the aldol product formed from each compound.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Answer

a.

b.

c.

d.

Step 1: Aldol reaction

The reaction between two carbonyl compounds (two molecules of an aldehyde (or a ketone)) in the presence of a strong base yielding a beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound is known as an aldol reaction.

Step 2: Aldol reaction mechanism

The mechanism of a general aldol reaction is provided below:

Aldol reaction

Step 3: Aldol products formed from each compound

a. Two molecules of phenylacetaldehyde react in the presence of a base to yield the corresponding beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound (aldehyde).

Aldol reaction of a.

 

b. Two molecules of 3,3-Dimethylbutyraldehyde react in the presence of a base to yield the corresponding beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound (aldehyde).

Aldol reaction of b.

 

 c. Two molecules of acetone react in the presence of a base to yield the corresponding beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound (ketone).

Aldol reaction of c.

 

d. Two molecules of cyclohexanone react in the presence of a base to yield the corresponding beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound (ketone).

Aldol reaction of d.