What type of compounds are produced from the reaction between alcohol and aldehyde?

When an alcohol reacts with an aldehyde, the primary product formed is an acetal. This reaction involves the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol on the carbonyl carbon of the aldehyde. The hydroxyl (-OH) group from the aldehyde is displaced, leading to the formation of a hemiacetal intermediate. Upon further reaction, if another molecule of alcohol is present, this hemiacetal can convert into an acetal by the elimination of a water molecule.

This acetal formation is characterized by the presence of two alkoxy (-OR) groups attached to the same carbon, which replaces the carbonyl group of the aldehyde. Acetals are particularly important in organic chemistry due to their stability and utility in protecting carbonyl groups during synthetic procedures.

Understanding this process is crucial as it highlights the reactivity of carbonyl compounds and the protective capabilities of acetals in chemical synthesis. In contrast, the other options—ketones, esters, and carboxylic acids—are products formed from different types of reactions involving either aldehydes, alcohols, or other functional groups.