Chem. [f. ACET(IC) + AL(COHOL).] A colorless liquid with alcoholic smell, found among the first portions of the distillate in preparing spirit of wine; a derivative of aldehyde, converted by oxidizing agents into acetic acid. It is the diethylate of ethylidene or ethidene CH3—CH(OC2H5)2.
1869. Roscoe, Elem. Chem., 250. Acetal is isomeric with diethyl glycol.
2. Sometimes extended to analogous ethidene derivatives in other series of the hydrocarbons, as Dimethyl acetal, found in crude wood-spirit; also called Ethidene dimethylate, CH3—CH(OCH3)2. In this nomenclature, the preceding substance is distinguished as Diethyl acetal.
