Question

How many different Claisen condensation products are possible in the reaction of equal amount of ethyl acetate and ethyl propanoate ?

• A. Only One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer 1

The correct option is D Four

Here, we have ethyl acetate and ethyl proponoate. Each ester have a acidic $\alpha -$ hydrogen. So each ester will undergo self condensation to form a product. Also enolate formed from ethyl acetate attacks ethyl proponoate to form a product and enolate of ethyl proponoate will attack ethyl acetate to form a product. Hence, totally we can get 4 possible products with claisen condensation reaction.