question_answer 17)

Write structural formulas and names of four possible aldol condensation products from propanal and butanal. In each case, indicate which aldehyde acts as nucleophile and which as electrophile? 

Answer:

Because of the presence of a-H atoms, propanal and butanal both undergo self and cross aldol condensation. Sol.        -hydrogen atoms are present in propanal as well as butanal. So, they can undergo aldol condensation four ways: (i) Condensation involving propanal only (ii) Condensation involving butanal only (iii) Condensation involving butanal (electrophile) and propanal (nucleophile) (iv) Condensation involving propanal (electrophile) and butanal (nucleophile)