Interconversion of fatty aldehydes and dimethyl acetals at low temperatures

Abstract

Facile procedures are described for nearly quantitative conversion of saturated and unsaturated fatty aldehydes to their dimethyl acetals, and vice versa, at low temperatures. The methods are based on the chemical behavior of aldehydes and dimethyl acetals in 100% sulfuric acid. Under the experimental conditions described, no side reactions seemed to occur. The purity of the aldehydes and dimethyl acetals was ascertained by thin-layer chromatography, infrared spectra and other techniques.