Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
As illustrated using arrow pushing, the first methyl anion drives an addition-
elimination reaction forming a ketone. The second methyl anion then adds to
the carbonyl in a 1,2-addition, generating the final alcohol.
The illustrated product results from a dimerization of the starting material through a
multistep process. As illustrated below, initial deprotonation of the starting material
with sodium hydride generates an acyl anion that adds, through a 1,4-addition, to
the carbonyl of a second starting material molecule. Subsequent proton transfer
sets up the intermediate species for an aldol condensation.
