Aldol

Aldols ( abbreviation of aldehyde alcohol, also: β - hydroxy aldehydes ) are aldehydes, which carry an OH group ( alcohol group ) to a carbon atom in β -position to the carbonyl group. Name -giving parent compound is 3- hydroxybutanal ( aldol ). Aldols act as classic products in the aldol reaction. Ketones having a hydroxyl group in β -position is called β -hydroxy ketones. Both groups can be summarized as hydroxy carbonyl compounds according to IUPAC nomenclature.