1. An aldol reaction begins with addition of a catalytic amount of base to an aldehyde or ketone. Write the first step (formation of an enolate) of the reaction when a catalytic amount of NaOH is added to acetaldehyde. 11 Bose

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question
### Aldol Addition Reaction and Mechanisms

#### 1. Formation of Enolate

An aldol reaction begins with the addition of a catalytic amount of base to an aldehyde or ketone. Below are the steps for the reaction of acetaldehyde with a catalytic amount of NaOH.

- The reaction starts with the deprotonation of acetaldehyde at the alpha position, forming an enolate ion. This enolate ion acts as a nucleophile. The diagram shows:

  - Acetaldehyde with a base attacking the alpha hydrogen to form the enolate ion.

#### 2. Formation of β-Hydroxyaldehyde

Continue the reaction by combining the enolate with an unaffected molecule of acetaldehyde to form an alkoxide. A subsequent reaction with water yields a β-hydroxyaldehyde.

- The enolate ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of another acetaldehyde molecule, forming a bond and generating an alkoxide intermediate.
- The alkoxide is then protonated by water, forming β-hydroxyaldehyde.

  - The diagrams illustrate the enolate attacking the carbonyl carbon, followed by the formation of the β-hydroxyaldehyde.

#### 3. Retro-Aldol Reaction

The overall aldol reaction is reversible. This means the β-hydroxyaldehyde can be converted back into two molecules of the original aldehyde. This reverse process is called a retro-aldol reaction. 

- The β-hydroxyaldehyde loses a hydroxide ion, forming back the enolate and the original aldehyde.
- Use pKₐ values to explain the reversible nature of this process.

  - The accompanying diagrams display the retro-aldol mechanism, showing decomposition into original aldehyde units.

#### 4. Mechanism for Butanone Reaction

Write the mechanism for the reaction of butanone with catalytic aqueous NaOH. Show each step with a reversible reaction arrow.

- Follow a similar process: 
  - Formation of the enolate.
  - Reaction of the enolate with the ketone to form a diol.
  - Diol conversion back to the original ketone.

  - Diagrams are provided to depict each mechanistic step, highlighting reversibility.

This explanation and the accompanying diagrams serve as an educational guide to understanding the mechanism and reversibility of the aldol and retro-aldol reactions in organic chemistry.
Transcribed Image Text:### Aldol Addition Reaction and Mechanisms #### 1. Formation of Enolate An aldol reaction begins with the addition of a catalytic amount of base to an aldehyde or ketone. Below are the steps for the reaction of acetaldehyde with a catalytic amount of NaOH. - The reaction starts with the deprotonation of acetaldehyde at the alpha position, forming an enolate ion. This enolate ion acts as a nucleophile. The diagram shows: - Acetaldehyde with a base attacking the alpha hydrogen to form the enolate ion. #### 2. Formation of β-Hydroxyaldehyde Continue the reaction by combining the enolate with an unaffected molecule of acetaldehyde to form an alkoxide. A subsequent reaction with water yields a β-hydroxyaldehyde. - The enolate ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of another acetaldehyde molecule, forming a bond and generating an alkoxide intermediate. - The alkoxide is then protonated by water, forming β-hydroxyaldehyde. - The diagrams illustrate the enolate attacking the carbonyl carbon, followed by the formation of the β-hydroxyaldehyde. #### 3. Retro-Aldol Reaction The overall aldol reaction is reversible. This means the β-hydroxyaldehyde can be converted back into two molecules of the original aldehyde. This reverse process is called a retro-aldol reaction. - The β-hydroxyaldehyde loses a hydroxide ion, forming back the enolate and the original aldehyde. - Use pKₐ values to explain the reversible nature of this process. - The accompanying diagrams display the retro-aldol mechanism, showing decomposition into original aldehyde units. #### 4. Mechanism for Butanone Reaction Write the mechanism for the reaction of butanone with catalytic aqueous NaOH. Show each step with a reversible reaction arrow. - Follow a similar process: - Formation of the enolate. - Reaction of the enolate with the ketone to form a diol. - Diol conversion back to the original ketone. - Diagrams are provided to depict each mechanistic step, highlighting reversibility. This explanation and the accompanying diagrams serve as an educational guide to understanding the mechanism and reversibility of the aldol and retro-aldol reactions in organic chemistry.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 3 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Reactions at the Alpha Carbon Atom
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY