Dioxolane is a heterocyclic acetal with the formula (CH2)2O2CH2. It is related to tetrahydrofuran by exchanging an oxygen for the CH2 group. The isomer 1,2-dioxolane (in which the two oxygen centers are adjacent) is a peroxide. 1,3-Dioxolane is used as solvent and comonomer in polyacetal. The dioxolane-type and their hydrogenolysis can provide very valuable partially protected building blocks either for oligosaccharide syntheses or sugar transformations.
Tetrahydrofuran is a heterocyclic organic compound with the molecular formula C4H8O. Tetrahydrofuran belongs to ethers and is the complete hydrogenation product of furan. It is a colorless, water-miscible organic liquid with small viscosity at normal temperature and pressure. Because of its long liquid range, it is a commonly used medium polar aprotic solvent. Its main use is as a precursor of high molecular polymers.