A diketone is a molecule containing two carbonyl groups.

A diketone is an oxygen nucleophile .

Reactions

Diketones react similarly to ketones or aldehydes

Nucleophilic addition

diketone + nucleophile → tetrahedral carbonyl addition compound

1. diketone + alcohol + acid or base ↔ hemiacetal
   • hemiacetal + alcohol + acid catalyst ↔ acetal + water
   • This is a carbonyl-protecting reaction.