Question
illustrate the following reactions giving a suitable example for each.
(i) Cross aldol condensation
(ii) Decarboxylation
Solution
i) Cross aldol condensation: The reaction between an aldehyde/ketone and a carbonyl compound lacking an alpha-hydrogen (cross aldol condensation) is called the Claisen-Schmidt condensation. It gives a mixture of four products.
ii) Decarboxylation refers to the reaction in which carboxylic acids lose carbon dioxide to form hydrocarbons when their sodium salts are heated with soda-lime.
