JEE Main Chemistry question

Which of the following compounds will undergo self aldol condensation in presence of cold dilute alkali?

(A)C₆H₅CHO
(B)CH₂=CH–CHO
(C)CH₃CH₂CHOCorrect
(D)None of these

Answer: (C)

Solution

Self-aldol condensation requires an enolizable α-hydrogen on a saturated sp³ carbon adjacent to the carbonyl. Propionaldehyde, CH₃CH₂CHO, has such α-hydrogens on its CH₂ group and readily undergoes base-catalyzed self-aldol condensation (giving 2-methylpent-2-enal after dehydration) — the standard textbook example.

See the full step-by-step solution

Create a free account to read the complete working, and practise questions like this in a timed test.

Create a free account

Question ID VK-149790