[wm334]

Hi,

In the second part of my aldol condensation reaction we add water to the O- on the carbonyl group.

The end product is 3-hydroxybutanal,

Why is this not an alcohol? does the aldehyde take precedent? from first impressions and after googleing I cant see difference between hydroxyl group and alcohol from hydration

Regards

[wm334]

OK I hope I have answered my own question

all alcohols contain hydroxyl groups
not all molecules containing hydroxyl groups are alcohols

[Hunter2]

Why is this not an alcohol?

Who says said. It is an alcohol and also an aldehyde

[stanleyykk]

http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/vrchemistry/nor/notes/tautomers.htm

I just recently learned it too. You would probably learn it later as well.

[Hunter2]

But this is not the case here. The compound was 2-Hydroxybutanal.

[stanleyykk]

sorry~ nvm then