Reactions of alcohols with α-alkoxyacroleins at room temperature

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF02641546

The first stage of the reactions of alcohols with α-alkoxyacroleins in an acidic medium at 20°C under kinetically controlled conditions is the Markovnikoff addition at the C=C bond to form 2,2-dialkoxypropanals (methylglyoxal ketals). Under conditions of thermodynamic control, subsequent acetalization of the aldehyde group occurs to form 1,1,2,2-tetraalkoxypropanes. When the duration of the reaction is further increased in the absence of a water acceptor, the ketal group undergoes hydrolysis and methylglyoxal acetals are formed. A method was developed for the preparation of methylglyoxal ketals.