Final answer:
The three steps in the correct order for the mechanism of an Aldol reaction are enolate formation, nucleophilic addition, and protonation. Option C is the correct sequence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aldol reaction is an important reaction in organic chemistry, especially in the synthesis of carbonyl compounds. To answer the question about the correct order of steps in the mechanism of an Aldol reaction, we look into the detailed process of the reaction.
The first step in an Aldol reaction is the formation of an enolate ion from a ketone or an aldehyde, which is done by deprotonating the alpha carbon with a base. This enolate ion is then a strong nucleophile and undergoes a nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl compound acting as an electrophile.
Finally, the aldolate anion formed by the addition is protonated to give the aldol product, which is a β-hydroxy-aldehyde or ketone. Therefore, the correct order of steps in the Aldol reaction mechanism is enolate formation, nucleophilic addition, and protonation (Option C).