Two moles of benzaldehyde and one mole of acetone under alkaline conditions using aqueous NaOH after heating gives x as the major product. The number of bonds in the product x is .
Answer
9
Solution
Two crossed aldol (Claisen–Schmidt) condensations take place, one at each α-CH3 of acetone:
2C6H5CHO + CH3COCH3 NaOH(aq), x + 2H2O
[figure]
x = dibenzalacetone, C6H5CH=CH-CO-CH=CH-C6H5
π bonds = 2 × 3 (benzene rings) + 2 (C=C) + 1 (C=O) = 9
Answer: 9