C15H12O

C15H12O is the molecular formula for several organic compounds, most notably 1,3-diphenylpropan-1-one, also known as deoxybenzoin. This chemical compound is a ketone with the structure of a propane backbone where two phenyl groups are attached at the 1 and 3 positions, and an oxygen atom is double-bonded to the carbon at the 1 position. Deoxybenzoin is a white crystalline solid at room temperature.

Deoxybenzoin can be synthesized through various chemical reactions, including the Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene with phenylacetyl chloride, or through the reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with phenylacetonitrile followed by hydrolysis. It is often used as a starting material or intermediate in the synthesis of more complex organic molecules, particularly in medicinal chemistry and the development of pharmaceuticals. Its reactivity stems from the presence of both the carbonyl group and the aromatic rings.

Other isomers with the molecular formula C15H12O exist, meaning they have the same atoms but a different arrangement. These include various other phenyl-substituted ketones and alcohols. The specific properties and applications of each isomer can vary significantly depending on its unique structural configuration. However, deoxybenzoin is the most commonly encountered compound associated with this formula in general chemical contexts.