Question 3 (a) - Chemistry CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper for 2022 Boards [Term 2] - Solutions to CBSE Sample Paper - Chemistry Class 12

Last updated at July 27, 2026 by

Give reasons to support the answer: 

(A) Presence of Alpha hydrogen in aldehydes and ketones is essential for aldol condensation. 

Answer

  • The alpha hydrogen atoms are acidic in nature due to the presence of electron withdrawing carbonyl group. 
  • These can be easily removed by a base and the carbanion formed is resonance stabilised. 
  • The more stable a product is, the higher the spontaneity of the reaction is- meaning, the reaction is more likely to occur .

Therefore, the presence of Alpha hydrogen in aldehydes and ketones is essential for aldol condensation.

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