An intramolecular aldol reaction is a specific type of aldol reaction where the nucleophile and electrophile are part of the same molecule, allowing for the formation of a cyclic product. This reaction involves the formation of a carbon-carbon bond through the deprotonation of an alpha-hydrogen followed by the nucleophilic attack on a carbonyl carbon within the same molecule, leading to the creation of a β-hydroxy ketone or aldehyde. Intramolecular aldol reactions are important in organic synthesis for building rings and more complex structures efficiently.
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