Introduction by Dr. Stuart Warriner (Volume Editor):

Volume 29 of Science of Synthesis is concerned with the synthesis of acetals, one of the most fascinating functionalities in chemistry. At a fundamental level the acetal group exemplifies many of the central tenets of modern chemistry from the subtle variations between S_N1 and S_N2 mechanisms in substitution reactions to the stereoelectronics which underpin the anomeric effect.

The acetal also enables the chemist to exploit the delights of thermodynamic and kinetic control in synthesis, concepts which are used to such great effect in selective acetal protection. Acetals also occur naturally within the elegant structures of natural products which have challenged generations of synthetic chemists, and are also the fundamental linkage that holds together the exquisite architectures of carbohydrates, which control so many aspects of cellular biology.

The links below provide further information about Volume 29:

• Detailed table of contents (pdf).
• List of authors.