An enolate is a reactive intermediate in organic chemistry formed from a carbonyl compound, such as a ketone or aldehyde, when it is deprotonated at the alpha carbon. This process typically involves a strong base that removes a hydrogen atom, resulting in a negatively charged carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group. Enolates are crucial in various reactions, including aldol condensation and Michael addition. Enolates can exist in two forms: the enol form, where the double bond is between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl carbon, and the keto form, where the carbonyl is intact. The stability and reactivity of enolates make them valuable in synthetic organic chemistry, allowing for the formation of complex molecules through nucleophilic attacks on electrophiles.