🧪 Enols & Enolates – Organic Chemistry Essentials
Enols and Enolates are fundamental intermediates in organic chemistry. They play a crucial role in many biological and industrial reactions, especially in carbon–carbon bond formation. Understanding their structure and reactivity is essential for students and researchers in the field.
🧪 Enols & Enolates – Organic Chemistry Essentials
🔗 Watch the lecture: YouTube Video
📌 Introduction
Enols and Enolates are fundamental intermediates in organic chemistry. They play a crucial role in many biological and industrial reactions, especially in carbon–carbon bond formation. Understanding their structure and reactivity is essential for students and researchers in the field.
🧬 What is an Enol?
An Enol contains a hydroxyl group (–OH) directly attached to a carbon–carbon double bond.
Often formed through proton transfer from ketones or aldehydes.
They are reactive due to the combination of the double bond and the –OH group.
⚡ What is an Enolate?
An Enolate is the anion formed when a proton is removed from the α-position of a ketone or aldehyde.
It acts as a strong nucleophile, capable of attacking electrophilic centers.
Plays a key role in reactions like Aldol Condensation, enabling the formation of new carbon–carbon bonds.
🔑 Importance of Enols & Enolates
Core concepts in many organic mechanisms.
Crucial intermediates for building complex molecules.
Biological relevance, appearing in pathways such as glycolysis.
📝 Summary
Enols = double bond + hydroxyl group.
Enolates = deprotonated, negatively charged species, highly reactive.
Both are central to understanding reactivity and synthesis in organic chemistry.
📺 Watch the full lecture with examples and diagrams here:
👉 Enols & Enolates – Organic Chemistry Lecture