Reactions of fatty aldehydes with fatty alcohols: Formation of acetals, hemiacetals and alk‐1‐enyl alkyl ethers

Abstract

A convenient method for the synthesis of acetals of fatty aldehydes and fatty alcohols by transacetatlation between fatty aldehyde dimethyl acetals and fatty alcohols is described. The acetals undergo decomposition to the alk‐1‐enyl alkyl ethers during GLC. Equimolar mixtures of fatty aldehydes and fatty alcohols show hemiacetal structure as evidenced by IR spectra in KBr discs but are dissociated completely into their components in solution and during TLC. They do not undergo dehydration and conversion to alk‐1‐enyl alkyl ethers during GLC under conditions of dealcoholization of acetals but are dissociated into aldehydes and alcohols.