Benzylacetone

Benzylacetone
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
4-Phenylbutan-2-one
Other names
4-Phenyl-2-butanone
Methyl 2-phenylethyl ketone
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.018.044 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H12O/c1-9(11)7-8-10-5-3-2-4-6-10/h2-6H,7-8H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: AKGGYBADQZYZPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C10H12O/c1-9(11)7-8-10-5-3-2-4-6-10/h2-6H,7-8H2,1H3
    Key: AKGGYBADQZYZPD-UHFFFAOYAH
  • O=C(CCc1ccccc1)C
Properties
C10H12O
Molar mass 148.205 g·mol−1
Density 0.989 g/mL
Melting point −13 °C (9 °F; 260 K)
Boiling point 235 °C (455 °F; 508 K)
Hazards
Flash point 98 °C (208 °F; 371 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Benzylacetone (IUPAC name: 4-phenylbutan-2-one) is a liquid with a sweet, flowery smell that is considered to be the most abundant attractant compound in flowers (e.g. Coyote Tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata) and one of volatile components of cocoa.

It can be used as an attractant for melon flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae), in perfume for its floral and balsamic aroma, and as an odorant for soap.

It can be prepared by the hydrogenation of benzylideneacetone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kessler, D. & Baldwin, I.T. (2007). "Making sense of nectar scents: the effects of nectar secondary metabolites on floral visitors of Nicotiana attenuata". The Plant Journal. 49 (5): 840–854. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313X.2006.02995.x. PMID 17316174.
  2. ↑ Baldwin, I.T.; et al. (1997). "Patterns and Consequences of Benzyl Acetone Floral Emissions from Nicotiana attenuata Plants". J. Chem. Ecol. 23 (100): 2327–2343. doi:10.1023/B:JOEC.0000006677.56380.cd. S2CID 25042144.
  3. ↑ Karl-Georg Fahlbusch, Franz-Josef Hammerschmidt, Johannes Panten, Wilhelm Pickenhagen, Dietmar Schatkowski, Kurt Bauer, Dorothea Garbe & Horst Surburg: Flavors and Fragrances, Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2003. Cited 28.8.2015.
  4. ↑ "University of Florida Featured Creatures". Retrieved 2008-11-18.
  5. ↑ "Answers.com webpage". Answers.com. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
  6. ↑ "benzyl acetone". Scents and Flavors. Scents and Flavors. Retrieved 26 March 2026.