Aldol Condensation

In some cases, the adducts obtained from the Aldol Addition can easily be converted (in situ) to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, either thermally or under acidic or basic catalysis. The formation of the conjugated system is the driving force for this spontaneous dehydration. Under a variety of protocols, the condensation product can be obtained directly without isolation of the aldol.
The aldol condensation is the second step of the Robinson Annulation.

---

Mechanism of the Aldol Condensation

For the addition step see Aldol Addition