key term - Aldol reaction

Definition

The Aldol reaction is a chemical reaction in organic chemistry where two aldehydes or ketones, or one of each, react together in the presence of a base to form a β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone. It is a fundamental process for forming carbon-carbon bonds and is widely used in the synthesis of complex molecules.

Related terms

Carbonyl Compound:

Organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) which are key starting materials in aldol reactions.

Base Catalysis: A process where a base substance accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed, essential for initiating aldol reactions.

Carbon:

Carbon Bond Formation - The process of linking two carbon atoms together, forming the backbone of many organic substances and achieved through reactions like the aldol reaction