Mesityl oxide
Encyclopedia
Mesityl oxide is a α,β-Unsaturated ketone with the formula CH3C(O)CH=C(CH3)2. This compound is a colorless, volatile liquid
with a strong peppermint
odor.
of acetone
to give diacetone alcohol
, which readily dehydrates to give this compound.
Isophorone
may be formed under the same conditions of mesityl oxide production, by a Michael addition. The yields of mesityl oxide and isophorone may vary according to reaction conditions during synthesis:
by hydrogenation
:
Liquid
Liquid is one of the three classical states of matter . Like a gas, a liquid is able to flow and take the shape of a container. Some liquids resist compression, while others can be compressed. Unlike a gas, a liquid does not disperse to fill every space of a container, and maintains a fairly...
with a strong peppermint
Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between the watermint and spearmint . The plant, indigenous to Europe, is now widespread in cultivation throughout all regions of the world...
odor.
Synthesis
It is prepared by the aldol condensationAldol condensation
An aldol condensation is an organic reaction in which an enol or an enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound to form a β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone, followed by a dehydration to give a conjugated enone....
of acetone
Acetone
Acetone is the organic compound with the formula 2CO, a colorless, mobile, flammable liquid, the simplest example of the ketones.Acetone is miscible with water and serves as an important solvent in its own right, typically as the solvent of choice for cleaning purposes in the laboratory...
to give diacetone alcohol
Diacetone alcohol
Diacetone alcohol is a chemical compound with the formula CH3CCH2C2. This liquid is a common synthetic intermediate used for the preparation of other compounds.It is a natural ingredient of Sleepy grass .-Synthesis:...
, which readily dehydrates to give this compound.
Isophorone
Isophorone
Isophorone is an α,β-Unsaturated cyclic ketone, a colorless to yellowish liquid with characteristic smell, that is used as a solvent and as an intermediate in organic synthesis...
may be formed under the same conditions of mesityl oxide production, by a Michael addition. The yields of mesityl oxide and isophorone may vary according to reaction conditions during synthesis:
Uses
Mesityl oxide is used as a solvent and in the production of methyl isobutyl ketoneMethyl isobutyl ketone
Methyl isobutyl ketone is the organic compound with the formula 2CHCH2CCH3. This colourless liquid, a ketone, is widely used as a solvent.-Production:...
by hydrogenation
Hydrogenation
Hydrogenation, to treat with hydrogen, also a form of chemical reduction, is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst. The process is commonly employed to reduce or saturate organic compounds. Hydrogenation typically...
:
