ACETAL FORMATION FROM METHYL FORMATE, PINACOLONE, AND BENZOPHENONE - EQUILIBRIUM-CONSTANTS IN METHANOL AND WATER DETERMINED BY A CHAIN OF TRANSACETALIZATION EQUILIBRIA

Transacetalization equilibrium constants can be measured in methanol s olution, This allows a ladder of equilibrium constants to be construct ed from acetophenone, for which the equilibrium constant for acetal fo rmation has been measured in methanol, to methyl formate, for which it has not. This is the first direct measurement of an equilibrium const ant for formation of an acetal of an acyclic ester. We have also deter mined equilibrium constants for acetal formation from benzophenone and pinacolone. The value for benzophenone is inconsistent with the value reported for the diethyl acetal by Pfeiffer and Adkins (G.J. Pfeiffer and H. Adkins. J. Am. Chem. Sec. 53, 1043 (1931)). We must conclude t hat their analytical method was subject to systematic errors.