Problems and exercisesWater and Alcohols
1. Stable hydrates
Formaldehyde in water is almost completely hydrated and chloral (trichloroacetaldehyde) forms a stable crystalline hydrate, whereas acetone hardly hydrates. Explain.
2. Hemiacetal or acetal
What is obtained when benzaldehyde is treated with methanol: a) without catalyst; b) with excess methanol and a catalytic amount of acid, removing the water formed?