In the reaction `CH_(3)CHO+CH_(3)COCH_(3)`with base , how many distinct aldol products are possible ?

Options

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Explanation

To determine how many distinct aldol products can be formed from the reaction of acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) and acetone (CH₃COCH₃) in the presence of a base, we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants are:
- Acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO)
- Acetone (CH₃COCH₃)

### Step 2: Understand the Aldol Reaction
In an aldol reaction, one of the carbonyl compounds (aldehyde or ketone) undergoes deprotonation at the alpha carbon by a base, forming an enolate ion. This enolate can then attack the carbonyl carbon of another molecule, leading to the formation of a β-hydroxy carbonyl compound (aldol).

### Step 3: Determine the Alpha Hydrogens
- Acetaldehyde has 3 alpha hydrogens (from CH₃).
- Acetone has 6 alpha hydrogens (from CH₃ groups).

### Step 4: Form Enolate Ions
1. **Enolate from Acetaldehyde**: The base abstracts one alpha hydrogen from acetaldehyde, forming an enolate.
2. **Enolate from Acetone**: The base abstracts one alpha hydrogen from acetone, forming an enolate.

### Step 5: Possible Aldol Products
1. **Acetaldehyde Enolate + Acetaldehyde**:
- This can lead to one aldol product.

2. **Acetaldehyde Enolate + Acetone**:
- This can lead to another distinct aldol product.

3. **Acetone Enolate + Acetone**:
- This can lead to a third aldol product.

4. **Acetone Enolate + Acetaldehyde**:
- This can lead to a fourth distinct aldol product.

### Step 6: Count Distinct Products
From the above combinations, we can summarize the distinct aldol products:
1. From acetaldehyde enolate + acetaldehyde
2. From acetaldehyde enolate + acetone
3. From acetone enolate + acetone
4. From acetone enolate + acetaldehyde

### Conclusion
Thus, there are **four distinct aldol products** possible from the reaction of acetaldehyde and acetone in the presence of a base.

### Final Answer
**4 distinct aldol products are possible.**

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