Benzoin condensation is a chemical reaction that involves the formation of a compound called benzoin from two molecules of benzaldehyde. This reaction typically occurs in the presence of a catalyst, often sodium cyanide or thiamine, which helps facilitate the process. The result is a new carbon-carbon bond, creating a larger, more complex molecule. The reaction proceeds through the nucleophilic addition of one benzaldehyde molecule to another, followed by a series of steps that lead to the formation of the benzoin product. This process is significant in organic chemistry for synthesizing various compounds and studying reaction mechanisms.