Aldol Condensation reaction in Aldehydes You can watch this lecture video on youtube https://youtu.be/bnQn7LunefE Subscribe the channel Follow at twitter:@LifeHobbies Follow at Instagram:anlifehobbies

1. Aldol Condensation Reaction (Aldehyde)
It is a organic reaction between same type of carbonyl compounds(Ketone
/Aldehyde) in the presence of strong base to form β-hydroxy ketone or β-
hydroxy aldehyde product.
We can easily remember this reaction Aldol=Ald +ol
Aldehyde into oL(Alcohol)
Why Carbonyl compounds undergo aldol condensation reaction
Due to presence of α-hydrogen. The acidic property of α-hydrogen in
aldehydes and ketones is because of the high electron-withdrawing
capacity of the carbonyl group and resonance stabilization of the
conjugate base.

3. Example of Aldol Reaction in Aldehydes
H 3 C
C
H
O
+
H 3 C
C
H
O
N a O H
H 3 C
C
O H
H 2
C C
O
C H 3
H
A c e t a l d e h y d e A c e t a l d e h y d e
4 - H y d r o x y - p e n t a n - 2 - o n e

4. Reaction Mechanism
Step 1: Removal of α-hydrogen from the base
Carbanion

5. Step 2: The first step results in the formation of carbanion which
undergoes a nucleophilic addition reaction with the carbonyl group
present in the second molecule of the aldehyde (in this case ethanal).
The second step results in the formation of the condensation product.

6. Step 3: Protonation of alkoxide ion will occur due to
reaction with water.

7. Step 4: Heating of the aldol compound in the basic
solution will help in dehydrating the product to form α
β‐unsaturated aldehyde compound.

8. Upcoming Topics
1. Aldol Condensation in Ketonic Compounds
2. Cross Aldol Condensation Reaction
3. Cannizzaro Reaction
4. Wurth Reaction
5. Friedel-Crafts Reaction