Crotonaldehyde

Crotonaldehyde is produced by the aldol condensation of acetaldehyde: :2 CH3CHO → CH3CH=CHCHO + H2O Crotonaldehyde is a multifunctional molecule that exhibits diverse reactivity. It is a prochiral dienophile. It is a Michael acceptor. Addition of methylmagnesium chloride produces 3-penten-2-ol. ==Uses==

is a specialty fertilizer. It is a precursor to many fine chemicals. A prominent industrial example is the crossed aldol condensation with diethyl ketone to give trimethylcyclohexenone, this can be easily converted to trimethylhydroquinone, which is a precursor to the vitamin E. Other derivatives include crotonic acid, 3-methoxybutanol and the food preservative Sorbic acid. Condensation with two equivalents of urea gives a pyrimidine derivative that is employed as a controlled-release fertilizer. determined from the change in 1H NMR shift of the crotonaldehyde handle on binding to a Lewis acid. Limitations of the method include secondary interactions to the 1H NMR handle obscuring the true effect of the Lewis acid, and weak donor strengths of trans-crotonaldehyde resulting in incomplete Lewis acid-base adduct formation. ==Safety==

Crotonaldehyde is a potent irritant even at the ppm levels. It is not very toxic, with an of 174 mg/kg (rats, oral). ==See also==