The Aldol reaction involves aldehydes and ketones with at least one α-hydrogen reacting in the presence of dilute alkali to form β-hydroxy aldehydes or β-hydroxy ketones. It is catalyzed by dilute alkali.
What is the Aldol reaction, and under what conditions does it occur for aldehydes and ketones?
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The Aldol reaction is a versatile organic transformation where an enolate ion, generated from the deprotonation of an aldehyde or ketone, reacts with another aldehyde or ketone. The reaction results in the formation of a β-hydroxy carbonyl compound (aldol), featuring both alcohol and aldehyde/ketone functional groups. This condensation reaction occurs under basic conditions, usually with the presence of a strong base such as hydroxide ion (OH⁻). The reaction proceeds through nucleophilic addition of the enolate to the carbonyl carbon of another molecule, followed by dehydration to yield the aldol product.