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hemiacetal vs. acetal

hemiacetal vs. acetal: What's the difference?

A hemiacetal is an organic chemical compound, typically one formed as an intermediate product in the preparation of the compounds known as acetals. Acetals are formed through the combination of alcohols with aldehydes. Acetals have two -OR groups. In a hemiacetal, one of the -OR groups is replaced with an -OH group.

hemiacetal

[ hem-ee-as-i-tal ]
noun
  1. any of the class of organic chemical compounds having the general formula RCH(OH)OR, where R is an organic group.

acetal

[ as-i-tal ]
noun
  1. a colorless, volatile, sparingly water-soluble liquid, C6H14O2, having a nutlike aftertaste, obtained from acetaldehyde and ethyl alcohol: used chiefly as a solvent and in the manufacture of perfumes.
  2. any of a class of compounds of aldehydes with alcohols.