The Complete Mechanism of an Aldol Condensation

The Complete Mechanism of an Aldol Condensation.

Although aldol condensation is one of the most important organic reactions, capable of forming new C-C bonds, its mechanism has never been fully established. We now conclude that the rate-limiting step in the base-catalyzed aldol condensation of benzaldehydes with acetophenones, to produce chalcones, is the final loss of hydroxide and formation of the C═C bond. This conclusion is based on a stu...

The Aldol Condensation Preparation of 4-Methoxybenzalacetone

Organic Synthesis: Aldol Condensation Reaction

In an "aldol addition" reaction an enol or enolate of an aldehyde or ketone reacts with a second aldehyde or ketone forming a new carbon-carbon bond which makes the aldol reaction an important reaction for organic synthesis. Originally, the aldol reaction used ethanal (see below) and therefore the product contained both an aldehyde and an alcohol functional group; thus it became known as the al...

Organic Synthesis: Aldol Condensation Reaction

In an "aldol addition" reaction an enol or enolate of an aldehyde or ketone reacts with a second aldehyde or ketone forming a new carbon-carbon bond. This makes the aldol reaction an important reaction for organic synthesis. Originally, the aldol reaction used ethanal (see below) and therefore the product contained both an aldehyde and an alcohol functional group; thus it became known as the al...

Structure of the polyketide cyclase SnoaL reveals a novel mechanism for enzymatic aldol condensation.

SnoaL belongs to a family of small polyketide cyclases, which catalyse ring closure steps in the biosynthesis of polyketide antibiotics produced in Streptomyces. Several of these antibiotics are among the most used anti-cancer drugs currently in use. The crystal structure of SnoaL, involved in nogalamycin biosynthesis, with a bound product, has been determined to 1.35 A resolution. The fold of ...