Aldol condensation of 2,5-heptanedione yields a mixture of two enone products in a 9:1 ratio. Treatment of the minor product wit

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Aldol condensation of 2,5-heptanedione yields a mixture of two enone products in a 9:1 ratio. Treatment of the minor product wit

h aqueous NaOH converts it into the major product; the interconversion proceeds as follows: Hydroxide ion adds to the double bond, forming enolate ion 1; Proton transfer occurs, yielding tetrahedral intermediate 2; Ring opening occurs, yielding enolate ion 3; Protonation of enolate ion 3 occurs, yielding 2,5-heptanedione; Deprotonation at C-6 occurs, yielding enolate ion 5; Enolate ion 5 attacks C-2, yielding tetrahedral intermediate 6; Protonation occurs to yield aldol addition product 7; Dehydration yields the more stable product.

Chemistry