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HomeCarboxaldehydes / Acetals / Hemianimals

Carboxaldehydes / Acetals / Hemianimals


Aldehydes are organic compounds that contain terminal carbonyl functional group (formyl group). Hemiacetals and acetals are formed from and convertible to aldehydes when reacted with alcohols. Acetals are stable compared to hemiacetals, but their formation is a reversible equilibrium as with esters. Acetals are used in organic synthesis as protecting groups for carbonyl groups or diols. Glucose and many other aldoses exist as cyclic hemiacetals. Hemiaminals are a type of chemical compounds that have a hydroxyl group and an amine attached to the same carbon atom. They are intermediates in imine formation from an amine and a carbonyl compound.