SYNTHESIS OF POLYFUNCTIONAL VICINAL GLYCOLES
The acidcatalyzed cleavage of 2,2-dimethyl-4-alkoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolanes has been investigated. It was shown that the corresponding substituted 1,2-diols are formed by the quantitative yield. The starting ketals were obtained by the condensation of glycerol with acetone, and then by O alkylation of 2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane. The conditions under which the total yield of the desired diols was not less than 80% were determined.