Aldol Reaction: Enolates Making C–C Bonds (Addition and Condensation)

Master the aldol reaction: enolate formation, carbon–carbon bond formation, and dehydration (aldol condensation). Learn when addition vs condensation dominates and avoid common traps.

• Key nucleophile: Enolate (from α‑hydrogen)
• Key electrophile: Carbonyl carbon of aldehyde/ketone
• Addition product: β‑hydroxy aldehyde/ketone
• Condensation product: α,β‑unsaturated carbonyl (after dehydration)
• Big exam trap: Crossed aldol mixtures unless one partner is non-enolizable or enolate is preformed (LDA)
• Exam type: Predict the major product
• Exam type: Choose conditions
• Exam type: Synthesis / retrosynthesis