What is Enol?
[[File:2 butène 2 ol.png|thumb|right|200px|An enol]] An '''enol''' is an [[alkene]] that has an OH group attached to one end of the [[double bond]]. It is called an '''enolate''' if the [[proton]] on the [[oxygen]] atom is taken away. Enols are [[tautomer]]s of [[ketone]]s or [[aldehyde]]s. Tautomers are [[molecule]]s which are different only in the position of an [[hydrogen]] atom. Enols can be made very easily from ketones or aldehydes using a [[base (chemistry)|base]]. They are quite unstable, because the C=O bond is stronger than the C=C bond. However, they can do many interesting [[chemical reaction|reactions]]. The best example is the [[aldol reaction]]. Enols of ketones can be made on two different sides. It is important to be able to choose which side to react. The side with less substituents is the easiest one to react: it can be made at low [[temperature]] with a [[Steric effects|bulky]] base. This is called the kinetic enolate. The other side, with more substituents, is more difficult to react. Higher temperatures are needed. This is called the thermodynamic enolate. [[File:Enolate2.svg|thumb|center|800px|Kinetic ('''1''') and thermodynamic ('''2''') enolates]] {{Functional group}} [[Category:Functional groups]]