Question

Write structural formulas and names of four possible aldol condensation products from
propanal and butanal. In each case, indicate which aldehyde acts as nucleophile and which
as electrophile.

Answer 1

(i) Taking two molecules of propanal, one which acts as a nucleophile and the other
as an electrophile.

(ii) Taking two molecules of butanal, one which acts as a nucleophile and the other as an electrophile.

(iii) Taking one molecule each of propanal and butanal in which propanal acts as a nucleophile and butanal acts as an electrophile.

(iv) Taking one molecule each of propanal and butanal in which propanal acts as an
electrophile and butanal acts as a nucleophile.