Chapter 24, Problem 24.11P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The starting carbonyl materials that are needed to prepare X by using a directed aldol reaction are to be identified. The reagents that are needed to convert X to donepezil are to be identified.

Concept Introduction: The directed aldol reaction is a type of cross aldol reaction. This directed aldol reaction categorizes the carbonyl compounds into the nucleophilic enolate and other the carbonyl compound which can react at the electrophilic carbonyl carbon atom.

Aldol reaction is the condensation reaction of the organic chemistry. In this reaction an enolate ion or an enol reacts with the carbonyl compound that leads to the formation of $\text{β}$-hydroxyaldehyde or $\text{β}$-hydroxyketone which on further dehydration gives the conjugated enone.