An enolate is a reactive intermediate 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 atom adjacent to a carbonyl group. Enolates are crucial in various organic reactions, including aldol reactions and Michael additions. Enolates can exist in two forms: the keto form, which contains the carbonyl group, and the enol form, which has a double bond between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl carbon. The stability of these forms depends on factors like solvent and substituents. Understanding enolates is essential for synthetic organic chemistry, as they serve as nucleophiles in many reactions.