The aldehyde shown undergoes self-aldol addition with dilute NaOH to give a single constitutional beta-hydroxy aldehyde. How many stereoisomers (configurational isomers, optical only here) does this product have? Give the answer as an integer.

Numerical answer type, tolerance 0.5.

Answer: 4

The drawn compound is propanal. Self-aldol addition gives 3-hydroxy-2-methylpentanal, with two stereocentres (C2 and C3), no meso possibility because the ends differ. Enumeration gives

2^{2} = 4

stereoisomers. Answer: 4.

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The aldehyde shown undergoes self-aldol addition with dilute NaOH to give a single constitutional beta-hydroxy aldehyde. How many stereoisomers (configurational isomers, optical only here) does this product have? Give the answer as an integer.

Answer: 4

More questions on Aldol and intramolecular aldol products of drawn carbonyls