The Aldol Reaction
(to the tune of the Hokey-Pokey)


You put a strong base in,
It takes the alpha-H out:
This forms an enolate.
That's what this carbonyl's about.
The enolate will resonate,
The charge is shared by O.
That's what aldol's about.

The enolate attacks
Another carbonyl about.
A new bonds forms;
It's really neat without a doubt.
A beta-hydroxycarbonyl is the result.
That's what aldol's about.

by Patrick Costello and Graig Garrett, 6 May 1996
edited by Dee Casteel