AIIMS 2014 Chemistry Aldol Condensation MCQ Question
Assertion Aldol condensation is usually carried out in dilute solution of a strong base. Reason Concentrated solution of strong base involved Cannizzaro reaction.
Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion
Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion
Assertion is true but Reason is false
Both Assertion and Reason are false
Correct Answer
Detailed Explanation
The correct answer is A because aldol condensation typically requires a dilute solution of a strong base to effectively facilitate the enolate formation necessary for the reaction. In contrast, a concentrated solution of strong base can lead to side reactions like the Cannizzaro reaction, which occurs in the absence of alpha-hydrogens, indicating that the concentration of the base directly influences the reaction pathway. Thus, the reason correctly explains why aldol condensation is performed under dilute conditions.
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