Condensation of 1,2,4-Butanetriol with Carbonyl Compounds and Reactions of Hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxacyclanes

A mixture of isomers of 2-(1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethanol and 1,3-dioxan-4-ylmethanol was prepared by reaction of 1,2,4-butanetriol with paraformaldehyde. This mixture was subjected to O-alkylation, O-acylation, condensation with phenyl isocyanate, and substitution of OH groups for Cl. The relative activity of acetone derivatives of glycerol and 1,2,4-butanetriol in reactions with allyl chloride and benzyl chloride was estimated.