Aldol Reaction

We've seen that aldehydes and ketones can form enolates which are nucleophilic.  We also discussed that aldehydes and ketones are good electrophiles and undergo nucleophilic addition.  So if we can generate an enolate in the presence of an aldehyde or ketone an aldol condensation can occur.  The product of an aldol condensation is called an aldol.  They are also referred to as a β-hydroxyaldehyde.

The trick to a successful aldol reaction is to generate a small amount of enolate in equilibrium with the aldehyde/ketone.  This was the enaolate can react with the aldehyde/ketone

The mechanism is straightforward.  First, a small amount of an enolate is formed.  The does a nucleophilic attack on an aldehyde that has not formed an enolate yet.