Phenylacetone
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
1-Phenylpropan-2-one
| |
| Other names
Benzyl methyl ketone
Methyl benzyl ketone P2P Phenyl-2-propanone | |
| Properties | |
| C9H10O C6H5CH2COCH3 | |
| Molar mass | 134.178 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Pleasant, floral-like |
| Density | 1.0056 g/cm3 (20 °C)[1] |
| Melting point | −15 °C (5 °F; 258 K) |
| Boiling point | 214 °C (417 °F; 487 K) |
| 0.227 g/100 ml (25 °C) | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohols, esters, ethers, halocarbons, ketones, toluene |
| Vapor pressure | 0.16 mmHg (25 °C) |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
-152.399 kJ/mol[3] |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | 90 °C (194 °F; 363 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
2,501 mg/kg |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Acetophenone Benzylacetone 5-Phenylpentan-2-one |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Phenylacetone is an organic compound, an aromatic ketone with the formula C6H5CH2COCH3. It is used as precursor in organic chemistry for the synthesis of many aromatic compounds, but it's main infamous use is as precursor for amphetamine-class substances, although the P2P method has largely fallen out of favor due to P2P becoming a controlled substance, being replaced with the more accessible "Birch method" (pseudoephedrine reduction).
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Reduction of phenylacetone with a reducing agent, such as aluminium isopropoxide, will yield 1-phenyl-2-propanol.
- C6H5CH2C(=O)CH3 → C6H5CH2CH(OH)CH3
Like with all methyl ketone compounds, addition of a basic solution containing iodine will yield iodoform.
- C6H5CH2COCH3 + 2 OH- + 2 I2 → C6H5CH2COO- + I- + CHI3 + H2O
Physical
Phenylacetone is a colorless liquid, albeit impure samples tend to appear yellowish, immiscible with water, but miscible with organic solvents. It has a pleasant odor, described by different people as: "honey-like", "burnt flowers", "green apple", etc.
Availability
Phenylacetone is sold by chemical suppliers, but due to its legal status as drug precursor (used in the production amphetamine-class drugs), it cannot be purchased by the home chemist without a hard to acquire permit. Since it's classified as List I drug precursor in most countries, it's almost impossible to be acquired by the hobby chemist. In the United States it is classified as a DEA List I chemical.
Preparation
There are hundreds of synthesis routes described in literature. A list containing several routes can be found on Erowid.
Projects
- Make 1-phenyl-2-propanol
- Precursor for fragrances
Handling
Safety
Phenylacetone has low toxicity, though it may be irritant.
Storage
In closed, airtight bottles, away from air and light.
Disposal
Can be destroyed with excess bleach (to destroy leftover chloroform), then poured down the drain.
References
- ↑ Kuroyan, R. A.; Markosyan, A. I.; Engoyan, A. P.; Vartanyan, S. A.; Journal of Organic Chemistry USSR (English Translation); vol. 19; (1983); p. 1709 - 1714; Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii; vol. 19; nb. 9; (1983); p. 1947 - 1953,
- ↑ Li, Sha; Wang, Ning; Hong, Ming; Tan, Hor-Yue; Pan, Guofeng; Feng, Yibin; Molecules; vol. 23; nb. 2; (2018); Art.No: 352
- ↑ Nicholson et al.; Journal of the Chemical Society; (1954); p. 2767
- ↑ Parks et al.; Journal of Chemical Physics; vol. 22; (1954); p. 2089
