Question

What is the structural formula of the acetal produced when methanol adds to propanone?

Answer 1

Hint : Acetal is an organic functional group with a general molecular formula of ${R_2}C{(OR')_2}$ . The R group can be either an organic fragment or a simple hydrogen. But the other $R'$ group should be the organic fragment and not just the Hydrogen.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
According to our general formula we have defined the composition of the R and $R'$ group. These R and $R'$ groups can be the same or can be different from each other.
An acetal is an organic compound formed by the condensation of two alcohol molecules with either aldehyde or ketone compound.
So, let’s now look at the general chemical equation of two molecules of alcohol reacting with the ketone.
Hence, on the basis of this general skeleton of the chemical equation of two molecules of alcohol reacting with the ketone.
We can write the equation of the reaction between the methanol and propanone, which will yield us the structure of acetal.
So, the chemical reaction between the methanol and propanone is:
${(C{H_3})_2}C = O{\text{ }} + {\text{ }}2C{H_3}OH \to {(C{H_3})_2}C{(OC{H_3})_2} + {H_2}O$
Here, ${(C{H_3})_2}C = O$ is propanone
$C{H_3}OH$ Is methanol
And ${(C{H_3})_2}C{(OC{H_3})_2}$ is $2,2 -$ dimethoxypropane.
The chemical reaction between the methanol and propanone is $2,2 -$ dimethoxypropane.
And the structural formula of $2,2 -$ dimethoxypropane is ${(C{H_3})_2}C{(OC{H_3})_2}$ .

Note :
In the production of these acetals, the acid catalyst must be used for catalysing the reaction between the alcohols and the ketones or aldehydes. These acetals are of important use in the organic science laboratory as they protect the carbonyl groups during the organic synthesis. This is because acetals are known as to be the stable groups by resisting the effect of hydrolysis by bases.