Difference Between Aldol and Claisen Condensation
The difference between Aldol and Claisen Condensation is as follows:
|
Feature |
Aldol Condensation |
Claisen Condensation |
|---|---|---|
|
Reactants |
Two aldehydes or ketones |
Ester and carbonyl compound (ketone or aldehyde) |
|
Products |
β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone |
β-keto ester or β-diketone |
|
Base |
Weaker base, such as hydroxide or carbonate |
Stronger base, such as sodium ethoxide or potassium tert-butoxide |
|
Mechanism |
Formation of alkoxide intermediate, which gets protonated to give β-hydroxy carbonyl compound |
Formation of enolate intermediate, which expels alkoxide group, restoring C=O and producing nucleophilic acyl substituted 1,3-dicarbonyl compound |
|
Applications |
Synthesis of β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds |
Synthesis of β-keto esters or β-diketones |
Claisen Condensation
Claisen condensation is an organic reaction that forms a new carbon-carbon bond, producing a β-keto ester. It involves the condensation of two esters or one ester and a carbonyl compound in the presence of a strong base, forming a β-keto ester or a β-diketone. It was discovered by German chemist Ludwig Claisen in 1887. In this article, we will look into What Claisen Condensation is, its mechanism, examples, types, etc.