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Reactive Group Datasheet

Acetals, Ketals, Hemiacetals, and Hemiketals

What are reactive groups?

Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that typically react in similar ways because they are similar in their chemical structure. Each substance with a chemical datasheet has been assigned to one or more reactive groups, and CAMEO Chemicals uses the reactive group assignments to make its reactivity predictions. More info about reactivity predictions...

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There are 61 chemical datasheets assigned to this reactive group.

Description

Flammability
Combustible.
Reactivity
Acetals, ketals, hemiacetals, and hemiketals react similarly to ethers, although members of this group would be less likely to form explosively unstable peroxides when exposed to oxygen. Members of this group may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, acetals are relatively inert.
Toxicity
Most are non-toxic.
Other Characteristics
Acetal compounds are formed by addition of alcohol molecules to aldehyde molecules. If one molecule of aldehyde (RCHO) reacts with one molecule of alcohol (R1OH) a hemiacetal is formed (RCH(OH)OR1). Further reaction with a second alcohol molecule produces a full acetal (RCH(OR1)2). Aldehyde groups are often converted into acetal groups to protect them before performing other reactions on different parts of the molecule. Most glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates and other polysaccharides are acetal linkages. Acetaldehyde diethyl acetal is an important flavouring compound in distilled beverages. The plastic known as acetal is a polyacetal of formaldehyde.
Examples
1,3-Dioxane, dioxolane, mezerein, ninhydrin, piperonal, acetal, glucose.

Reactivity Documentation

Use the links below to find out how this reactive group interacts with any of the reactive groups in the database.

The predicted hazards and gas byproducts for each reactive group pair will be displayed, as well as documentation and references that were used to make the reactivity predictions.

Mix Acetals, Ketals, Hemiacetals, and Hemiketals with: