Depolymerization of dimeric dihydroxyacetone

R. P. Bell and E. C. Baughan [J. Chem. Soc., 1937, (1947)] investigated the generalized acid-base catalysis of the depolymerization of dimeric dihydroxyacetone. In terms of the general formulation of the first-order rate constant... 

The depolymerization of dimeric dihydroxyacetone and glycollalde-hyde ° has been studied in aqueous solution, and again shows general acid-base catalysis. Qualitatively similar catalytic behaviour has been observed in the mutarotation of optically active a-keto-esters in alcoholic solution,and in exchange reactions between alcohols and esters, both of which presumably take place by the reversible addition of alcohol to the carbonyl group. 

---