Question

How many aldol products would be produced by CH₃CHO and CH₃CH₂CHO?

A) 1
B) 3
C) 2
D) 4

Answer 1

Four aldol products would be produced by the reaction of CH3CHO with CH3CH2CHO due to each aldehyde being able to form an enolate ion that can react with the carbonyl carbon of either aldehyde, resulting in self-condensation and cross-condensation products.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how many aldol products would be produced by the reaction of CH3CHO (acetaldehyde) with CH3CH2CHO (propionaldehyde), we must consider the possibilities for aldol condensation. In an aldol condensation, an enolate ion from one aldehyde molecule reacts with the carbonyl carbon of another aldehyde molecule, forming a β-hydroxyaldehyde.

The reaction between acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde can produce four possible aldol products because:

• Each aldehyde can form an enolate ion.
• Each enolate ion can react with the carbonyl carbon of either acetaldehyde or propionaldehyde.

Thus, the four combinations are:

• Acetaldehyde enolate ion with acetaldehyde's carbonyl carbon (self-condensation)
• Acetaldehyde enolate ion with propionaldehyde's carbonyl carbon (cross-condensation)
• Propionaldehyde enolate ion with acetaldehyde's carbonyl carbon (cross-condensation)
• Propionaldehyde enolate ion with propionaldehyde's carbonyl carbon (self-condensation)