What type of compounds are formed from the reaction between alcohol and ketone?

The reaction between an alcohol and a ketone typically leads to the formation of a ketal, which is a specific type of compound characterized by the presence of two alkoxy groups (-OR) bonded to the same carbon atom. In this reaction, the hydroxyl group of the alcohol reacts with the carbonyl group of the ketone, creating a tetrahedral intermediate that subsequently loses a water molecule to form the ketal.

Ketals are structurally distinct from acetals, which are formed from reactions between alcohols and aldehydes. While ketals and acetals share a similar functional role, the key distinction is the type of carbonyl compound involved; acetals arise from aldehydes, while ketals arise from ketones.

The reaction does not result in the formation of more alcohols, ketones, or carboxylic acids as products. Therefore, the formation of a ketal as a product when an alcohol reacts with a ketone is the correct identification of the resulting compound.