Hydroxyacetone

Hydroxyacetone

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1-Hydroxypropan-2-one
Other names 1-Hydroxy-2-propanone Acetol
Identifiers
CAS Number	116-09-6
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	605368
ChemSpider	21106125
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.750
EC Number	204-124-8
InChI InChI=1S/C3H6O2/c1-3(5)2-4/h4H,2H2,1H3 Key: XLSMFKSTNGKWQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES CC(=O)CO
Properties
Chemical formula	C3H6O2
Molar mass	74.08
Appearance	Colourless liquid
Odor	sweet
Density	1.059 g/cm3
Melting point	−17 °C (1 °F; 256 K)
Boiling point	145–146 °C (293–295 °F; 418–419 K)
Vapor pressure	7.5 hPa at 20 °C
Refractive index (nD)	1.415
Hazards
GHS hazard statements	H226
Flash point	56 °C (closed cup)
Explosive limits	Upper limit: 14.9%(V) Lower limit: 3%(V)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	2200 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Hydroxyacetone, also known as acetol, is an organic chemical consisting of a primary alcohol substituent on acetone. It is an α-hydroxyketone, also called a ketol, and is the simplest hydroxy ketone structure.

Hydryoxyacetone can be produced by degradation of various sugars. In foods, it is formed by the Maillard reaction, and can react further to form other compounds with various aromas. As such it finds some use as a flavoring.

Hydroxyacetone is commercially available but may be also be synthesized on a laboratory scale by a substitution reaction on bromoacetone. It undergoes rapid polymerization, including forming a hemiacetal cyclic dimer. Under alkaline conditions, it undergoes a rapid aldol condensation.