Acetals are products formed from the reaction os an aldehyde with 2 moles of alcohol. This is a type of protection for aldehyde carbonyls. Tthe hydrolysis of acetals thus gives back the aldehyde functionality. The hydrolysis of acetal s achieved in acidic medium wherein, protonation of the -OR groups generates a +ve charge on oxygen. The second oxygen donates it lone pair to form O=C bond and 1 cleavage of the first C-O bond occurs to give 1 mole of alcohol. H2O then attacks at the double bonded carbon to neutralize +ve charge on oxygen. Second protonation of oxygen of -OR group occurs. The lone pair of oxygen of -OH now donates it lone pair towards O-C bond to form similar double bond and loss of second alcohol molecule. another mole of H2O attacks at carbon center. Finally loss of Hydrogen gives the aldehyde back.
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