Questions: A hemiacetal is a compound with both an alcohol-like -OH group and an etherlike -OR group bonded to the same carbon atom. An acetal is a compound that has two ether-like -OR groups bonded to the same carbon atom. Identify the structure that contains an acetal.

A hemiacetal is a compound with both an alcohol-like -OH group and an etherlike -OR group bonded to the same carbon atom. An acetal is a compound that has two ether-like -OR groups bonded to the same carbon atom.

Identify the structure that contains an acetal.

Transcript text: A hemiacetal is a compound with both an alcohol-like -OH group and an etherlike -OR group bonded to the same carbon atom. An acetal is a compound that has two ether-like -OR groups bonded to the same carbon atom. Identify the structure that contains an acetal.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding Acetals

An acetal has two ether-like -OR groups attached to the same carbon. An ether-like group is a carbon singly bonded to an oxygen, which is then singly bonded to another carbon.

Step 2: Identifying the Acetal

The first answer choice shows one -OR group (-OCH₃) and one -OH group. This is a hemiacetal.

The second answer choice shows one -OR group (-CH₃; since the oxygen is part of the ring, the entire ring counts as "R") and one -OH group. This is also a hemiacetal.

The third answer choice shows one -OR group and one -OH group. This is also a hemiacetal.

The fourth answer choice shows two -OH groups. This is not a hemiacetal or acetal.

Only the first option has two -OR groups, one being -OCH₃ and the other being the ring.