McMurry, pp 346-349:
Problems 11.18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 32, 35, 36, 46
1. Condensation reactions seem to have developed more "name" reactions than most other areas of organic chemistry. For each reaction below, identify the alpha-nucleophile and the carbonyl group that would have been involved.
a) Perkin condensation
b) Knoevenagel condensation
c) Dieckmann condensation
2. A crossed-aldol reaction simply implies that two different components were used, one to act as the nucleophile (electron donor) and one as the carbonyl (electron acceptor). Write a complete mechanism for the crossed aldol reaction between acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde. Indicate which you selected to be the donor and which the acceptor, and also indicate how you might arrange the experiment so that you avoid or minimize the extent of normal aldol reaction.
3. Write a complete mechanism for a crossed Claisen condensation between
ethyl acetate and ethyl benzoate, using sodium ethoxide as the base.