The amino acid-catalysed retroaldol condensation previously described for citral has been extended to other α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. In the presence of glycine and an elevated pH, six other α,β-unsaturated aldehydes also underwent retroaldol condensation. Crotonaldehyde, as well as its proposed intermediate, aldol, were converted into acetaldehyde. Hexenal, decenal, methyl crotonaldehyde, far...
