it is known that in the effecient bio-synth of L-PAC the addition of ethanal (acetaldehyde) improves yield, and that benzaldehyde is needed.
an effecient way to obtain both of these would seem to be to inact a reverse aldol condensation on cinnamaldehyde, TFSE did not return any hits on "benzaldehyde cinnamaldehyde reverse aldol".
could someone comment on the reaction conditions needed to cause cinnamaldehyde to undergo a reverse aldol, and capture both products.
refluxing an alkaline tincture would seem obvious but would the volatile ethanal be lost? or would any side reactions occur?