Question

Write structural formulas and names of four possible aldol condensation products from propanal and butanal. In each case, indicate which aldehyde acts as nucleophile and which as electrophile ?

Answer 1

$\alpha$ - hydrogen atoms are present in propanal as well as butanal. So, they can undergo aldol condensation four ways :

Condensation involving propanal only

(ii) Condensation involving butanal only

Condensation involving butanal (elecrophile) and propanal (nucleophile)

Condensation involving propanal (electrophile) and butanal (nucleophile)