Green Crossed Aldol Condensation Reactions Using trans-Cinnamaldehyde

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 16 (2011) pp 23-25

Green Crossed Aldol Condensation Reactions Using trans-Cinnamaldehyde

Laura K. Ter Meer Guardia, Aaron J. Belli, Gavin J. Molta, Patrick Gordon, and Christine H. Jaworek-Lopes*

Emmanuel College, 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, jaworek@emmanuel.edu
Received September 1, 2009. Accepted November 8, 2009.

Published: 4 February 2011

Abstract. Herein we report a fast, solventless aldol condensation reaction using trans-cinnamaldehyde and a variety of ketones (1-indanone, acetophenone, a-tetralone). The reactions yield highly colored solids which may be analyzed by melting point, thin layer chromatography (TLC), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopy. Moreover, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR) allows for a more advanced product examination that can be adopted for instructional purposes in an undergraduate organic chemistry course.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; organic chemistry; green; aldol reaction; solventless; UV-Vis spectroscopy

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: rugutt_joseph@colstate.edu)

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Supporting Materials:

The laboratory handout, data sheet, IR spectra, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, and UV spectra are available (2.27 MB).