Synthesis, structure and properties of cyclic and bicyclic acetals.

Metals and ketals are characterized by the grouping R-O-C-O-R, and are thus closely related to the class of compounds known as ethers. In chemical behaviour, however, theydiffer from the ethers, being readily susceptible to hydrolysis in a dilute acid medium. In alkaline solution, on the other hand, they are as inert as the ethers. An acetal may be regarded most conveniently as essentially the product of the condensation of an aldehyde with an alcohol, although it may not necessarily be prepared in this manner. Similarly a ketal may be considered as the condensation product of a ketone with an alcohol. [...