Radical–Chain Reactions of Acetals in Solution

Experimental results on the liquid-phase radical–chain reactions of acetals are summarised. Factors influencing the rate of formation, structure, and properties of free radicals generated from cyclic and linear acetals are discussed. Attention is paid mainly to the kinetics and the mechanism of the reactions of mono- and di-alkoxyalkyl radicals in solution. The relation between the structure of acetals and their reactivity towards various radicals is examined. Data are given illustrating the possibility of using homolytic liquid-phase reactions of acetals in organic synthesis. A list of 77 references is included.