What is the product when alcohol is added to carbonyl compounds? [closed]








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How do we know if, on adding alcohol to carbonyl compound:


1. nucleophilic addition reaction will take place


[![r](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Fh5PL.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Fh5PL.png)


or


2. alcohol will take alpha hydrogen to form a carbanion and consequent
aldol condensation will take place. Here B is alcohol (e.g. $\ce{EtOH}$)


[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FRQlw.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FRQlw.png)




As already pointed out in the comments, the second reaction reagent is not exactly an alcohol but an alkoxide. For example, $\ce{EtONa}$ and not $\ce{EtOH}$.


This makes the reaction condition for the second reaction basic whereas the first reaction is taking place in acidic conditions.


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