Two molecules of an aldehyde or ketone containing α- hydrogen atom, combine itself in the presence of dilute alkali to form β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone.
This reaction is called aldol condensation after the name of the product which contains both aldehyde (al) and a hydroxy (ol) group.
Similar condensation of two molecules of ketones ( α- hydrogen) is also considered as aldol condensation although the product in this case contains a keto and hydroxy group rather than an aldehyde group.
Which of the following compounds will not undergo aldol condensation?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
Out of the four given compounds only methanal does not have α-hydrogen. So, methanal will not undergo aldol condensation.
