MCAT Question A Day - 2/1/14 - Answer!

The formation of a beta-hydroxyaldehyde results from

A. an aldol condensation.

B. the reaction of two molecules of an aldehyde in the presence of dilute base.

C. the reaction of two molecules of aldehyde in the presence of dilute acid.

D. All of the above

The correct answer is (D). Aldol condensation reactions occur whenever aldehydes or ketones are in the presence of a dilute acid or base. The product results from the addition of the alpha carbon of one molecule of aldehyde or ketone to the carbonyl carbon of the other molecule of aldehyde or ketone. For example,

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