Aldol Reaction (Noun)
Meaning
A reaction of aldehydes resulting in an aldol.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The aldol reaction involves the condensation of an enol or an enolate with an aldehyde or ketone to form a beta-hydroxy aldehyde or ketone.
- This reaction is an example of a nucleophilic addition reaction and is typically catalyzed by a strong base, but may also be acid-catalyzed.
- The aldol reaction of acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde yields beta-hydroxybutanal and beta-phenyl-alpha-hydroxybutanal as major reaction products.
- An aldol reaction is commonly used to synthesize complex organic compounds like steroids, from simple organic molecules.
- Aldol reactions frequently occur at or near physiological pH and have important roles in biological systems in metabolic pathways.