Octet / Reactions
Acetal Formation
Acetal Formation (Carbonyl.) Converts CC=O to CC(OC)OC using ROH (excess), acid catalyst. Conditions: Remove water.
Carbonyl
Reaction details
Name
Acetal Formation
Type
Carbonyl
Starting Material
CC=O
Product
CC(OC)OC
Reagents
ROH (excess)
acid catalyst
Conditions
Remove water
Mechanism
- Smiles
CC=O
- Description
Aldehyde
- Smiles
CC(O)OC
- Description
First alcohol attacks → hemiacetal
- Smiles
CC(OC)OC
- Description
Second alcohol attacks → acetal
Tips
Acetals are stable to base (protect carbonyls)
Removed with aqueous acid
Common protecting group for aldehydes/ketones
Cyclic acetals with 1,2- or 1,3-diols are especially stable
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