To convert an aldehyde or ketone into an acetal by chemical reaction with an alcohol, typically used to protect reactive groups in synthesis.
From acetal + -ize (verb suffix). This verb was created when chemists needed to describe the deliberate creation of acetals as a protection strategy.
When chemists acetalize a molecule, they're using a temporary disguise to let other reactions happen nearby without destroying the protected group—it's strategic molecular teamwork.
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