Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

The Aldol condensation reaction requires the loss of a molecule of water. Perfor

ID: 910912 • Letter: T

Question

The Aldol condensation reaction requires the loss of a molecule of water. Performing the reaction in water should disfavor this reversible dehydration reaction from occurring. Based on your observations during the laboratory provide a reasonable explanation for why the condensation product occurs at all? NOTE: Heat accelerates the reaction reaching equilibrium but DOES NOT directly favor the Aldol Condensation product.

Reaction Conditions 1: 1) In a 50-mL round-bottomed flask, with a spin bar, add 10mL of H2O solution which contains 1.0 mmol of 2-acetylpyridine. Stir the mixture vigorously. 2) Place 1.0 mmol of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde in a separate vial and dissolve using a minimum amount of warm MeOH. While still warm, add the solution of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde to the stirring mixture in the round-bottomed flask. 3) To this mixture add 0.25 mmol of Na2CO3 dissolved in 5 mL of H2O. 4) After 1 hr of vigorous stirring, collect the solid product using vacuum filtration and wash with H2O (3 x 10mL) and a minimal amount of cold MeOH. 5) Allow the product to dry on the vacuum, determine the yield, melting point and record the IR spectra of your product. Reaction Conditions 2: 1) In a 50-mL round-bottomed flask, with a spin bar, add 10mL of H2O solution which contains 1.0 mmol of 2-acetylpyridine. Stir the mixture vigorously. 2) Place 1.0 mmol of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde in a separate vial and dissolve using a minimum amount of warm MeOH. While still warm, add the solution of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde to the stirring mixture in the round-bottomed flask. 3) To this mixture add 0.25 mmol of Na2CO3 dissolved in 5 mL of H2O. 4) Attach a water-cooled reflux condenser and heat the reaction to reflux using an oil bath or a heating mantle. 5) After 1 hr of vigorous stirring at reflux, cool the reaction using an ice-water bath, collect the solid product using vacuum filtration. Wash the solid with H2O (3 x 10mL) and a minimal amount of cold MeOH. 6) Allow the product to dry on the vacuum, determine the yield, melting point and record the IR spectra of your product.

Reaction Conditions 2: 1) In a 50-mL round-bottomed flask, with a spin bar, add 10mL of H2O solution which contains 1.0 mmol of 2-acetylpyridine. Stir the mixture vigorously. 2) Place 1.0 mmol of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde in a separate vial and dissolve using a minimum amount of warm MeOH. While still warm, add the solution of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde to the stirring mixture in the round-bottomed flask. 3) To this mixture add 0.25 mmol of Na2CO3 dissolved in 5 mL of H2O. 4) Attach a water-cooled reflux condenser and heat the reaction to reflux using an oil bath or a heating mantle. 5) After 1 hr of vigorous stirring at reflux, cool the reaction using an ice-water bath, collect the solid product using vacuum filtration. Wash the solid with H2O (3 x 10mL) and a minimal amount of cold MeOH. 6) Allow the product to dry on the vacuum, determine the yield, melting point and record the IR spectra of your product.

Explanation / Answer

The Aldol condensation reaction requires the loss of a molecule of water. Perfor