What is Aldol reaction?
The '''aldol reaction''' is a very important [[chemical reaction|reaction]] in [[organic chemistry]]. It allows to form new [[carbon]]-carbon bonds. It was discovered in 1872. The reagents are two [[carbonyl]] compounds together with a [[Base (chemistry)|base]]. A proton is removed from one of them forming a negative charge on the α-carbon (the carbon just next to the C-O double bond). The negative charge can then attack the other carbonyl compound, forming the bond. The product is a β-hydroxy carbonyl compound, a molecule with a C-O double bond and an [[alcohol]] two carbon atoms down the chain. This reaction is very powerful because it can form a big molecule from two smaller ones. Modern ways of doing the aldol reaction also allow to control the [[stereochemistry]] of the product. This is a very good way to create new [[chirality|chiral centres]]. [[File:Typical_aldol-en.svg|600px|center]] ==References== *{{Cite book|title=Organic Chemistry|url=https://archive.org/details/organicchemistry0000clay|last1=Clayden|first1=Jonathan|last2=Greeves|first2=Nick|last3=Warren|first3=Stuart|year=2012|edition=2nd|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|pages=[https://archive.org/details/organicchemistry0000clay/page/614 614]-655|isbn=9780199270293}} [[Category:Organic reactions]]