The Aldol reaction is a fundamental organic chemistry process that involves the reaction of aldehydes or ketones containing at least one alpha-hydrogen. In this reaction, one molecule acts as a nucleophile, attacking the carbonyl carbon of another molecule, leading to the formation of a β-hydroxy carbonyl compound, known as an aldol. This reaction is typically catalyzed by a base or an acid. After the initial aldol formation, the product can undergo dehydration to yield an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound. This step is often driven by the elimination of water, resulting in a more stable product. The Aldol reaction is widely used in organic synthesis for constructing complex molecules and is a key reaction in the field of organic chemistry.