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acetals

File:Acetal_general_structure.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ421103· pop 40· linked from 281 articles

Also known as acetal

thumb|Generic structure of acetals

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Acetals
general formula
(R³)(R⁴)C(OR¹)(OR²), R¹≠H, R²≠H
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10 sections
Contents
  • Acetalization and ketalization
  • Examples
  • Sugars
  • Chiral derivatives
  • Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
  • Unusual acetals
  • Flavors and fragrances
  • Related compounds
  • See also
  • References

thumb|Generic structure of acetals

In organic chemistry, an acetal is a functional group with the connectivity . Here, the R groups can be organic fragments (a carbon atom, with arbitrary other atoms attached to that) or hydrogen, while the R' groups must be organic fragments not hydrogen. The two R' groups can be equivalent to each other (a "symmetric acetal") or not (a "mixed acetal"). An acetal is formed from and convertible to two alcohol molecules and an aldehyde or ketone, but acetals have substantially different chemical stability and reactivity as compared to the analogous carbonyl compounds. The central carbon atom has four bonds to it, and is therefore saturated and has tetrahedral geometry.

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