Master the Claisen condensation: ester enolate formation, nucleophilic acyl substitution, and why deprotonation of the β‑keto ester drives the reaction. Includes key base choices and traps.
Key nucleophile: Ester enolate
Key electrophile: Ester carbonyl
Product: β‑keto ester (or β‑diketone depending on substrates)
Driving force: Deprotonation of β‑keto ester product (more acidic)
Base choice: Use matching alkoxide base (same OR as ester) to avoid transesterification