CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

Ketals are organic compounds formed by addition of an alcohol to a ketone. If one molecule of ketone (RR’CO) reacts with one molecule of alcohol (R"OH) then a hemiketal is formed. The rings of ketose sugars are hemiketals. Further reaction produces a full ketal (RR’C(OR")₂). This term, once abandoned, has been reinstated as a subclass of acetals.