alpha carbon
name of the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl carbon
aldehydes
are the alpha hydrogens on aldehydes or ketones more acidic?
ketones
are aldehydes or ketones less likely to react with nucleophiles?
keto
typically, is the keto or enol form more thermodynamically favored?
an alpha beta unsaturated carbonyl compound
in the Michael addition, what does the enolate attack? (what acts as the electrophile?)
Strong Sterically Hindered Base
what kind of base forms the kinetic enolate?
weak, small bases
what kind of base forms the thermodynamic enolate?
an aldol
what is the product of the aldol reaction's first step?
an alpha, beta unsaturated carbonyl
what is the product of the aldol reaction's second step?
by ensuring one of the molecules has quaternary alpha carbons
when using multiple carbonyl compounds in an aldol reaction, how can you ensure that one of the molecules will never act as a nucleophile (will never form an enolate)?
aqueous base and heat
what conditions favor the retro aldol reaction?