C6H5CH2COCH3

C6H5CH2COCH3, also known as benzylacetone or 4-phenylbutan-2-one, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH2COCH3. It is a ketone featuring a phenyl group attached to a methylene group, which is then attached to a carbonyl group, followed by a methyl group. This arrangement gives it a molecular weight of approximately 134.18 grams per mole.

Benzylacetone is a colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a characteristic sweet, floral, and slightly fruity odor, which makes it valuable in the fragrance and flavor industries. It is sparingly soluble in water but readily soluble in many organic solvents such as ethanol and ether.

In terms of chemical reactivity, benzylacetone exhibits typical ketone reactions. The carbonyl group can undergo nucleophilic addition, and the alpha-hydrogens on the methylene group adjacent to the carbonyl are acidic and can be deprotonated to form enolates, which are useful intermediates in various organic synthesis reactions, including aldol condensations.

Benzylacetone is found naturally in some plants and is also synthesized industrially. Its applications primarily lie in its use as a fragrance ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics, and as a flavoring agent in food products. It can also serve as a precursor in the synthesis of other organic compounds.