lactol
Lactol is a chemical compound, specifically a cyclic hemiacetal. Its chemical formula is C5H8O2. It is formed by the intramolecular reaction between the aldehyde and hydroxyl groups of 5-hydroxypentanal. Lactol exists in equilibrium with its open-chain form, 5-hydroxypentanal. This equilibrium is a characteristic of hemiacetals and depends on factors such as solvent and concentration.
In aqueous solution, both the open-chain aldehyde form and the cyclic lactol form are present. The ring
Lactol is a colorless liquid and is soluble in water and many organic solvents. It is not