Methyl isobutyl ketone is the organic compound

Organic compound

An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...

 with the formula (CH₃)₂CHCH₂C(O)CH₃. This colourless liquid, a ketone

Ketone

In organic chemistry, a ketone is an organic compound with the structure RCR', where R and R' can be a variety of atoms and groups of atoms. It features a carbonyl group bonded to two other carbon atoms. Many ketones are known and many are of great importance in industry and in biology...

, is widely used as a solvent

Solvent

A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...

.
Methyl isobutyl ketone is manufactured from 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...

 via a three-step process. Firstly acetone undergoes an aldol condensation

Aldol 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....

 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 mesityl oxide

Mesityl oxide

Mesityl oxide is a α,β-Unsaturated ketone with the formula CH3CCH=C2. This compound is a colorless, volatile liquid with a strong peppermint odor.-Synthesis:...

. Mesityl oxide can then be hydrogenated

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...

 to give MIBK:

Modern processes combine these three steps into one.

Several million kilograms are produced annually.
MIBK is used as a solvent for nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. When used as a propellant or low-order explosive, it is also known as guncotton...

, lacquers, and certain polymers and resins.
Another major use is as a precursor to N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N-phenyl-p-phenylene diamine (6PPD), an antiozonant

Antiozonant

An antiozonant, also known as anti-ozonant, is a chemical compound that prevents or slows down the degradation of material caused by ozone gas in the air...

 used in tires.