Enolates are reactive intermediates formed from the deprotonation of an α-hydrogen in carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes and ketones. This process typically involves a strong base, which removes the acidic hydrogen, resulting in a negatively charged species that can stabilize through resonance with the carbonyl group. These intermediates play a crucial role in various organic reactions, including the aldol condensation and Michael addition. Enolates can act as nucleophiles, attacking electrophiles to form new carbon-carbon bonds, making them essential in synthetic organic chemistry for building complex molecules.