Hemiacetal and Acetal Functional Groups Hemiacetal: alcohol and ether on same carbon Acetal: Two ethers on same carbon
Mechanism Must be acid-catalyzed. Adding H + to carbonyl makes it more reactive with weak nucleophile, ROH. Hemiacetal forms first, then acid-catalyzed loss of water, then addition of second molecule of ROH forms acetal. All steps are reversible. =>
Hemiacetal Synthesis: aldehyde + alcohol Alcohol + aldehyde --> hemiacetal Ethanal + methanol Alcohol oxygen becomes an ether Carbon double bond oxygen becomes an alcohol
Mechanism for Hemiacetal =>
Aldehyde and Ketone Reactions
Synthesis of Acetal Functional Group Acetal: alcohol plus hemiacetal (ether synthesis) Acetal: Two ethers on same carbon
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Aldehyde and Ketone Reactions
Mechanism Hemiacetal to Acetal =>
Cyclic Acetals Addition of a diol produces a cyclic acetal. Sugars commonly exist as acetals or hemiacetals. =>