• This reaction features a rare example of an OH^- leaving group.
• One can perform crossed aldol reactions on malonates without using a strong base to form an enolate. This reaction is difficult to stop however.
• Firstly the aldol is formed, then reaction proceeds to show the formation of the dehydrated product.
• The final stage of this reaction (formation of the dehydrated product) occurs via the E1cB mechanism.
• This is a more controlled aldol reaction than its acid catalysed alternative.
• This reaction can occur intramolecularly, within a single molecule.


References:

• White J.D.; Blakemore P.R.; Green N.J.; et al., J. Org. Chem., 2002, Volume 67, No. 22, 7750-7760
• Wei H.-X.; Hu J.; Purkiss D. W.; Paré P. W.; Tetrahedron Lett., 2003, Volume 44, Issue 5, 949