Aldol Condensation
In the aldol condensation, the aldehyde or ketone acts as both nucleophile and electrophile,
resulting in the formation of a carbon–carbon bond in a new molecule called an aldol.
An aldol contains both aldehyde and alcohol functional groups.
The nucleophile is the enolate formed from the deprotonation of the α-carbon.
The electrophile is the aldehyde or ketone in the form of the keto tautomer.
First, a condensation reaction occurs in which the two molecules come together.
After the aldol is formed, a dehydration reaction (loss of a water molecule) occurs. This results
in an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl.
Retro-aldol reactions are the reverse of aldol condensations.
Retro-aldol reactions are catalyzed by heat and base.
In these reactions, the bond between an α- and β-carbon is cleaved.
