What is "aldol"

Aldol \Al"dol\, n. [Aldehyde + -ol as in alcohol.] (Chem.) A colorless liquid, C4H8O2, obtained by condensation of two molecules of acetaldehyde: CH3CHO + CH3CHO = H3CH(OH)CH2CO; also, any of various derivatives of this. The same reaction has been applied, under the name of

aldol condensation, to the production of many compounds.

n. (context organic chemistry English) Any aldehyde or ketone having a hydroxy group in the beta- position

n. an oily colorless liquid obtained by the condensation of two molecules of acetaldehyde; contains an alcohol group (-OH) and an aldehyde group (-CHO) [syn: aldehyde-alcohol]

An aldol or aldol adduct (from "Aldehyde alcohol") is a beta-hydroxy ketone or aldehyde, and is the product of aldol addition (as opposed to aldol condensation, which produces an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety).

When used alone, the term "aldol" may also refer specifically to the compound 3-hydroxybutanal.