Abstract

The aldol condensation takes its name from aldol (3-hydroxybutanal) a name introduced by Wurtz who first prepared the beta-hydroxy aldehyde from acetaldehyde in 1872. The aldol condensation includes reactions producing beta-hydroxy aldehydes or beta-hydroxy ketones by self condensations or mixed condensations of aldehydes and ketones as well as reactions leading to alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes or alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones formed by dehydration of intermediate beta-aldols or beta-ketals. The Claisen-Schmidt condensation is most often taken to be the condensation of an aromatic aldehyde or ketone usually in the presence of a basic catalyst. The term aldol condensation has also been applied to many other condensations involving The Reaction">the reaction of an aldehyde or ketone. These condenations are discussed. The present review includes examples that are solely condensation reactions of aldehydes and ketones.