Guerbet Condensation

Abstract

This reaction occurs via dehydrogenation to form aldehyde that condenses with a second molecule of aldehyde to give the aldol product, which subsequently is reduced by alcohol to form a higher order of alcohol, known as the Guerbet alcohol. Therefore, the condensation of primary or secondary alcohols at high temperature and pressure in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide or alkoxide is referred to as the Guerbet condensation. This reaction has been found to be useful in the preparation of higher‐order alcohols from cheap alcohols.