Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Aldol Condensation
Aldol condensation is a key reaction in organic chemistry where aldehydes or ketones with alpha-hydrogens react in the presence of a base to form β-hydroxy aldehydes or ketones. This reaction is crucial for synthesizing larger molecules, such as lactic acid from acetaldehyde, by forming a carbon-carbon bond through the enolate ion mechanism.
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Reduction Reactions
Reduction reactions involve the gain of electrons or hydrogen, or the loss of oxygen, resulting in the conversion of carbonyl compounds to alcohols. In the synthesis of lactic acid from acetaldehyde, the β-hydroxy aldehyde formed from aldol condensation can be further reduced to yield lactic acid, highlighting the importance of reduction in organic synthesis.
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Reagents and Conditions
The choice of reagents and reaction conditions is critical in organic synthesis. For the conversion of acetaldehyde to lactic acid, a strong base (like sodium hydroxide) is needed for the aldol condensation, followed by a reducing agent (such as lithium aluminum hydride) to facilitate the reduction step. Understanding the role of these reagents ensures efficient and high-yield synthesis.
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