Question

Acetal formation is a reversible reaction

Under what conditions, the reaction can be forced to proceed only in right (forward) direction ?

• A. Using excess of alcohol
• B. Using high temperature
• C. Using dilute acid and excess of alcohol
• D. Using dry acid and excess of alcohol

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Using dry acid and excess of alcohol

Being reversible reaction, the backward reaction i.e. acetal -hemiacetal step can be restricted by minimizing water content, i.e. by using dry HCI. The step hemiacetal aldehyde can be restricted by using excess of alcohol.