Aldol Condensation

In some cases, the adducts obtained from the Aldol Addition can easily be converted (in situ) to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, either thermally or under acidic or basic catalysis. The formation of the conjugated system is the driving force for this spontaneous dehydration. Under a variety of protocols, the condensation product can be obtained directly without isolation of the aldol.

The aldol condensation is the second step of the Robinson Annulation.

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Mechanism of the Aldol Condensation

For the addition step see Aldol Addition

Recent Literature

An Efficient Method for the Selective Iodination of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

CBr₄ as a Halogen Bond Donor Catalyst for the Selective Activation of Benzaldehydes to Synthesize α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

One-Pot Synthesis of β,β-Disubstituted α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Direct Synthesis of β,γ-Unsaturated α-Keto Esters from Aldehydes and Pyruvates

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Reaction Cascade to Substituted Cyclohexylamines