Pivaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid condense in acid: the protonated aldehyde carbon is attacked by the hydroxyl oxygen of the acid, and loss of water then closes a ring as the carboxyl oxygen bonds to the same carbon. The five-membered ring that forms is a 1,3-dioxolan-4-one carrying the tert-butyl group on the acetal carbon and the two methyl groups on the carbon next to the ring carbonyl. The major product is 2-tert-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one.
JEE Main · 2023 · 25 Jan 2023 · Shift 2 · Single correct option