Ketone (20.0 equiv.) was added to a suspension of aldehyde (10.0 g, 81.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) in NaOH 1% (0.25 M). The reaction was stirred at 50 °C for 2 h. Reaction was followed via TLC. Septa was placed to minimize acetone evaporation. The reaction mixture was quenched via addition of 1 M HCl(aq) solution and subsequently extracted with EtOAc (3 x 50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4, filtered and solvent removed via rotary evaporator to yield the corresponding α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound.