aldol

chemical compound

Also known as: β-hydroxybutyraldehyde, acetaldol, beta-hydroxybutyraldehyde(Show More)

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The user is asking for a summary of "aldol" as a chemical compound. The provided search results discuss the "aldol reaction" and define "aldol" as a beta-hydroxy aldehyde.

An aldol is a colorless beta-hydroxy aldehyde, represented by the chemical formula C₄H₈O₂, and is utilized in organic synthesis. Aldehydes, in general, are reactive compounds due to the polarity of their carbonyl group and the acidity of alpha-hydrogens. These characteristics allow aldehydes to undergo various reactions, often initiated by nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon. The aldol reaction, specifically, occurs when an aldehyde with at least one alpha-hydrogen is treated with a base, resulting in a beta-hydroxyaldehyde product.12

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aldehyde
Aldol reaction
Another important reaction of a carbon nucleophile with an aldehyde is the aldol reaction (also called aldol condensation), which takes place when any aldehyde possessing at least one α-hydrogen is treated with sodium hydroxide or sometimes with another base. The product of an…
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Another important reaction of a carbon nucleophile with an aldehyde is the aldol reaction (also called aldol condensation), which takes place when any aldehyde possessing at least one α-hydrogen is treated with sodium hydroxide or sometimes with another base. The product of an…
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acid–base reaction
Aldol condensation, base-catalyzed
aldol. The first step of this reaction is the production of an enolate ion (as in formation of the keto–enol tautomeric mixture), but this anion then reacts with a second molecule of acetaldehyde to give the product as shown below:
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aldol. The first step of this reaction is the production of an enolate ion (as in formation of the keto–enol tautomeric mixture), but this anion then reacts with a second molecule of acetaldehyde to give the product as shown below:
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