how to find the major product of the intramolecular aldol reaction

how to find the major product of the intramolecular aldol reaction

It becomes a point of thought while a compound contains more than one possibilities to undergo a particular reaction.

In case of a compound having two carbonyl groups when subjected to treatment with aqueous base followed by acidification and heating, there are more than one possibilities of obtaining different products from just only one starting material. Clearly, the above mentioned condition is typical for aldol condensation.
An aldol condensation can be catalyzed by either acid or base to produce the corresponding enol or enolate from one of the associated carbonyl. Now this enol or enolate makes a nucleophilic attack to the carbon of the other carbonyl and a beta hydroxy carbonyl compound is produced. On heating, dehydration takes place and the reaction ends up producing an alpha-beta unsaturated carbonyl compound.

how to find the major product of the intramolecular aldol reaction

When two carbonyl groups are present in the same compound, under the mentioned reaction condition, the compound undergoes intramolecular aldol condensation out of which a ring formation takes place. However, the ring formation is triggered by acidity of alpha hydrogen and ring strain in the product as well.

how to find the major product of the intramolecular aldol reaction

Find the major product

Catch up with me for the solution of the above example in this regard in the following video:

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