One of the reactants contains a hydrogen alpha to a carbonyl; a deprotonation occurs at this site in the first step and the resulting conjugated system attacks the other reactant, an ester.
This procedure was first published with Claparede in 1881 in two forms, the second for a hydroxyl-substituted benzene. As performed today, it usually requires an initial acylation but, even with this, the relevant methanoate derivatives are notably unable to carry out the self- form of this reaction. One of the reactants contains a hydrogen alpha to a carbonyl; a deprotonation occurs at this site in the first step and the resulting conjugated system attacks the other reactant, an ester. It requires a strong base catalysis, so the relevant alkoxide is often added to the system. FTP, name this reaction of two esters to yield a beta-keto ester; a condensation named for a German chemist.
This procedure was first published with Claparede in 1881 in two forms, the second for a hydroxyl-substituted benzene.
Claisen condensation (or Claisen reaction)