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2-(2-Bromoethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane is a methyl vinyl ketone equivalent; alkylating agents for attaching a 3-ketobutyl group to various nucleophiles; the derived organometallic reagents attach this group to electrophilic centers such as carbonyl groups; major use in the synthesis of monoprotected 1,4-, 1,5-, and 1,6-diketones and related 1,n-difunctional compounds.

Preparative Methods of 2-(2-Bromoethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane: addition of methyl vinyl ketone to a two-phase mixture of benzene and conc aq HX, followed by drying of the benzene phase, addition of ethylene glycol, and removal of water with a Dean-Stark trap.

2-(2-Bromoethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane stored at <=0 °C. even purified samples contain some β-halo ketone which slowly loses HX, catalyzing further decomposition.