Predict the major product of the following aldol condensation reaction:

Step-by-step solution

The given reactant is 4-methylpentanal, which has the structure CH ₃- CH ( CH ₃)- CH ₂- CH ₂- CHO . In the presence of a base ( OH ^- ), an aldol condensation takes place. The base removes an acidic -proton from one molecule of 4-methylpentanal to form an enolate ion: CH ₃- CH ( CH ₃)- CH ₂- CH ₂- CHO OH ^- CH ₃- CH ( CH ₃)- CH ₂- CH ⁻- CHO + H ₂ O This enolate acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbonyl carbon of a second molecule of 4-methylpentanal: CH ₃- CH ( CH ₃)- CH ₂- CH ₂- CHO + CH ₃- CH (