Question

how would you change the procedures in this experiment if you wished to synthesize benzalacetone C6H5CH=CHCOCH3?

Answer 1

We know Aldol reactions begins with an equilibrium between ketone and enolate. This equilibrium is not typically favorable, but the addition step is quite favorable. This means that, after addition, another slow equilibrium followed by a fast addition is possible.

We need to follow following steps for the preparation of benzalacetone.

Step 01 :- Take acetone in beaker or round bottom flask and add in Lithium diisopropyl amide (LDA) solution. After the addition of acetone in LDA solution, Less possibility that the acetone enolate will add to another molecule of acetone--i.e. self-condensation.

Step 02 :- Add benzaldehyde to the enolate solution in thermal condition to get the maximum yield of desired product (benzalacetone).