Identify the major product of the following reaction sequence:

Step-by-step solution

The given reactant is 2,6-dimethylcyclohexane-1,4-dione, which contains two ketone groups. The carbonyl group at the top position is sterically hindered by the two adjacent methyl groups. The carbonyl group at the bottom position is less sterically hindered as it is flanked by two - CH ₂- groups. In step (i), the reaction with ethylene glycol ( HO-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -OH ) is sensitive to steric hindrance. It selectively protects the less hindered bottom carbonyl group by forming a cyclic ketal (acetal). In step (ii), the W