[omegasynthesis999]

When one is doing an aldol rxn followed by dehydration...why would using acetone and water be a bad idea compared with using ethanol and water?

Some reasons I can think of:

-Multiple products b/c the acetone could also be involved in the rxn
-Ethanol (polar protic) may be a better solvent for whatever is being used

Can someone confirm/deny these or possibly give other ideas as to why acetone/water would be a poor choice?

Thanks

[shelanachium]

Acetone is a carbonyl compound. What types of compounds are involved in aldol reactions?

[lutesium]

Here's a good explanation of the reaction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldol_reaction

It might be because interference of acetone with the reaction.


Lutesium...

[omegasynthesis999]

I guess I should have been more specific. But when I was referring to the other rxns, I meant the acetone would react in the aldol rxn either by being the enolate or the molecule that was attacked (electrophile) therefore producing multiple products along with the target molecule.

But are there potentially any other reasons for not wanting to use acetone?

[lutesium]

Isn't that reason enough?


Lutesium...