Acetone → (E)-6-Methyl-3-hepten-2-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

In contrast, the processes comprising subjecting isovaleraldehyde and acetone to aldol condensation in the presence of an aqueous alkali have an advantage that the reaction can be carried out under mild conditions, using inexpensive materials. The process (iv), however, can give 6-methyl-3-hepten-2-one, the aldol condensate, only in a 35 to 40% yield at most. Also, the process (v) mainly forms 6-methyl-4-hydroxyheptan-2-one, and requires successive dehydration reaction in order to obtain the yield of the 6-methyl-3-hepten-2-one. In addition, the yield of the 6-methyl-3-hepten-2-one thus obtained is 51%, which is not satisfactory. Moreover, the process (v) must use acetone in excess, so it is not industrially advantageous in view of the necessity for recovering the excessive acetone and the volumetric efficiency of reaction.

Provenance & Evidence