1. THE SOLVENTLESS ALDOL-TYPE CONDENSATION
Experiment 22:
THE SOLVENTLESS ALDOL-TYPE CONDENSATION

2. Objectives:
To synthesize an a,b unsaturated ketone from an aldehyde and a ketone using solvent-free conditions.
To purify the product through a recrystallization.
To identify and analyze purity through TLC and melting point analysis.
To analyze the product using IR and NMR spectra.

3. Before coming to lab… Review these techniques: Recrystallization
TLC Analysis
Melting Point Analysis

4. ALDOL CONDENSATIONS
Aldol condensations are nucleophilic additions of an enolate ion, which are strong nucleophiles, to another C=O group under basic conditions.
Protonation gives the aldol product.
Once formed, the aldol product undergoes dehydration in base.
Abstraction of an a proton gives an enolate that can expel an –OH ion to give a conjugated product.
Dehydration is usually exothermic because it leads to a very stable conjugated product.

5. CHEMICAL EQUATION
3,4-dimethoxy benzaldehyde
1-indanone
Aldol Product

6. MECHANISM Base removes a proton to form enolate ion.
Resonance stabilized enolate forms carbanion, which attacks C=O of aldehyde
Oxygen anion removes proton from water, releasing
–OH.
When new C-C bond forms, C=O p bond breaks, electrons stay with oxygen.
Acidic a proton is removed by –OH. Electrons form new p bond.

7. TYPICAL ALDOL CONDENSATION
A typical aldol condensation reaction is carried out in an organic solvent, such as ethanol, requiring eventual waste disposal.
Isolation of the product requires a much more involved work up, not to mention the hazards to the experimenter and the environment due to waste disposal.
Another challenge is that solution phase reaction is reversible, so low product yields may result.

8. GREEN CHEMISTRY CONCERNS
One of the main themes of greener chemistry is to cut down on the use of solvent, and hence cut down on solvent waste. The best way to do this is simply not to use any solvent at all.
Workup is generally easier since as the reaction proceeds, the product separates from the melt as a solid, making work up much less complicated.
Another benefit is that unlike a solution phase reaction, the solid-state reaction is irreversible, resulting in higher chemical yields.

9. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE (Synthesis)
Place aldehyde and ketone in large test tube.
Crush solids with glass rod until liquefied.
Add NaOH. Mix and scrape sides of test tube until pale green solid forms.
Continue to react for 15 minutes at room temperature.

10. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE (Purification and Product Isolation)
Place test tube in a 90oC water bath.
Add 90:10 PROPANOL/WATER and heat until solid dissolves.
Suction filter.
Transfer solid to PREWEIGHED WATCH GLASS AND PLACE IN OVEN 15 MINUTES to dry.
Obtain final product mass and calculate % yield.
Proceed to PRODUCT ANALYSIS (TLC, mp, IR).

11. Table 22.1 Theoretical yield (g)
Determine limiting reagent first, before calculating theoretical yield.
Actual yield (g)
% yield
Melting range (oC)
Record Ti-Tf range.
Compare to literature value to determine purity of product.
Product Appearance
Record the physical state and color of product.

12. Experimental Atom Economy
Table 22.4
Atom Economy
Calculate based on reactants ONLY!
Review Experiment 13 for calculation.
Experimental Atom Economy
E product
Cost per Gram
Calculate COST PER SYNTHESIS 1st based on reactants and catalyst.

13. 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde
Table 22.2
Compound
TLC Rf values
Standard
Sample
1-indanone
Rf values are UNITLESS!
Rf values are 2 decimal places ONLY!
3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde
Aldol Product

14. Product Analysis (IR)

15. aromatic C=C stretch (2)
Table 22.3
Functional
Group
Base
Values
(cm-1)
1-Indanone
3,4-dimethoxy
-benzaldehyde
Aldol
Product
Frequency (cm-1)
Frequency
sp3 CH stretch
sp2 CH stretch
C=O stretch
C-O stretch
aromatic C=C stretch (2)
aldehyde CH stretch (2)

16. SAFETY CONCERNS
Solid NaOH is very corrosive! Immediately flush skin with water if any gets on your skin!
Propanol is very flammable! Use extreme caution during purification!

17. WASTE MANAGEMENT
After final mass is determined, and small amount of product has been set aside for further TLC and mp analyses, place product in container labeled “Aldol Product”.
Pour all liquid waste into bottle labeled “ Organic Waste (Aldol)”.
Leave TLC chambers with lids off in your lab drawer.
Place all used TLC capillaries and melting point capillaries in broken glass container, NOT TRASHCAN!

18. CLEANING
Clean all glassware with soap, water, and brush, followed by a rinse with wash acetone before returning to lab drawer.
DO NOT return any glassware to lab drawer dirty or wet!