Formula C6H10O | Density 858 kg/m³ | |
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Appearance Oily, colorless to light-yellow liquid Related compounds | ||
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 cat urine odor.
Contents
Synthesis
It is prepared by the aldol condensation 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:
Uses
Mesityl oxide is used as a solvent and in the production of methyl isobutyl ketone by hydrogenation:
References
Mesityl oxide Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA