<P> The name aldol condensation is also commonly used, especially in biochemistry, to refer to just the first (addition) stage of the process--the aldol reaction itself--as catalyzed by aldolases . However, the aldol reaction is not formally a condensation reaction because it does not involve the loss of a small molecule . </P> <P> The reaction between an aldehyde or ketone having an alpha - hydrogen with an aromatic carbonyl compound lacking an alpha hydrogen is called the Claisen--Schmidt condensation . This reaction is named after two of its pioneering investigators Rainer Ludwig Claisen and J.G. Schmidt, who independently published on this topic in 1880 and 1881 . An example is the synthesis of dibenzylideneacetone . Quantitative yields in Claisen--Schmidt reactions have been reported in the absence of solvent using sodium hydroxide as the base and plus benzaldehydes . Because the enolizeable nucleophilic carbonyl compound and the electrophilic carbonyl compound are two different chemicals, the Claisen--Schmidt reaction is an example of a crossed aldol process . </P> <P> The first part of this reaction is an aldol reaction, the second part a dehydration--an elimination reaction (Involves removal of a water molecule or an alcohol molecule). Dehydration may be accompanied by decarboxylation when an activated carboxyl group is present . The aldol addition product can be dehydrated via two mechanisms; a strong base like potassium t - butoxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium hydride in an enolate mechanism, or in an acid - catalyzed enol mechanism . Depending on the nature of the desired product, the aldol condensation may be carried out under two broad types of conditions: kinetic control or thermodynamic control . </P> <Dl> <Dd>: </Dd> </Dl>

Can aldol condensation take place in acidic medium