Consider the mixed aldol condensation reaction of 1-(1-methylcyclopentyl)ethanone (shown below) and 2,2-dimethylpropanal (shown below) in the presence of sodium hydroxide.
Provide the expected major MIXED aldol product for this reaction (answer could be in E or Z form).
In order to minimize forming a mixture of products in the reaction in the question above, which reactant would you use an excess of?
[ Select ]
["1-(1-methylcyclopentyl)ethanone",
"2,2-dimethylpropanal"]
Why?
[ Select ]
["It has no alpha hydrogens", "It has at least 2 alpha hydrogens", "It has one alpha hydrogen"]