Efficient synthesis of an acetal from a non-cyclic ketone or aldehyde starting materials

摘要

A process for the efficient synthesis of acetals wherein the carbon bearing the two acetal oxygens is not part of a ring system is described. The process involves reaction of a non-cyclic ketone or aldehyde of the general formula R'1R'2C=O, wherein R'1 and R'2, which may be identical or different, are hydrogen, aryl or linear or branched alkyl having from 1-20 carbon atoms with an alcohol of the formula R'OH, wherein R' is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, characterized in that the reaction is carried out in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a catalytic composition comprising at least one solid acid catalyst and at least one molecular sieve.