[davidenarb]

In the below Aldol condensation reaction , I would like to check whether the product drawn is the major product.

Thanks

[davidenarb]

Hi all,

So my textbook, it said that in an aldol condensation reaction, two steroisomeric product can be formed cis or trans, and the major product is the one that has less steric hindrance.

After, it provides an example of butan-2-one, and 4 diastereoisomers were produced, so I find that there is a lack of precision in the course, ans my question is : when will we expect a significant steric hindrances? is there a precise answer to my question?

[orgopete]

I am guessing a mixture of products. A Google search of 2-butanone aldol seemed to indicate different products to have formed.

[orgopete]

At this point, this is a pretty well studied area and different strategies have been developed to prefer one isomer over another. Some reactions can be quite good to form one kind of product compared to one of its diastereomers. I believe if you have a specific question one of the forum members can give a good answer. (I am not an expert in this area.)

I would say that in general, many of these questions will depend upon the mechanism. Is the product determined by the rate of attack or is it reversible and another step controls the product(s) found.