Condensation of benzaldehyde with acetone

The specific properties of hydrated hydrotalcites appear not only in the aldoli-zation of acetone, but in many other aldolization reactions. For example, in the aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with acetone the hydrated form catalyzes the reaction at 273 K, yielding aldol as the main product instead of benzalacetone, obtained on the calcined sample. Competitive adsorption kinetics are still observed, with a much greater adsorption coefficient for benzaldehyde. As suggested earlier from Hammett relationships, this reaction can be generalized with success to many substituted benzaldehydes [32], although the reaction could be performed selectively at 273 K with benzaldehyde only, and substituted benzaldehydes required a reaction temperature of 333 K. Because of this high temperature the reaction usually gives a, unsaturated ketones isolated yields are > 95 %. 

Table 3. Effect of the solvent on the initial rate of the aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with acetone in the liquid phase at 273 K.

Nolen et al. also reported the self-condensation reaction of butyraldehyde and the cross-aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with acetone (Figs. 9.58 and 9.59) at 250°C. The butyraldehyde self-condensation produced a number of products, including 2-ethyl-2-hexenal, 2-butyl-2-butenal, and 2-ethyUiexanal. The results from the condensation of butyraldehyde indicate that a 40% yield of 2 -ethyl-2 -hexenal is achieved before the formation of by-products becomes dominant. In addition, investigations of the back reaction show that a substantial quantity of butyraldehyde is formed when 2-ethyl-2-hexenal is subjected to water at 250°C. The condensation reaction of benzaldehyde with acetone produced a 15% yield of trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one in 5 h and very small quantities of trans,trans-dibenzylidene acetone during this same period of time. The authors suggest that the low yield could be a result of equilibrium limitations. 

Figure 9.59 Cross-aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with acetone.

---

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

---