Monoacetalization of unprotected sucrose with citral and ionones

The monoacetalization of sucrose by citral, alpha-ionone and beta-ionone is reported. Geranial and neral sucrose acetals (E and Z isomers of citral acetals) are described. Optimization of the acidic catalysis afforded good yields of acetals directly from unprotected sucrose by transacetalization of dimethyl acetals in dimethylformamide. The influence of microwave irradiation on the reaction outcome was investigated.