WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH ACETOL? (1-HYDR0XY-2-PR0PAN0NE or HYDROXYACETONE)

o II

CH3-C-CH2-OH

Its unusual structure and versatile reactivity may make it valuable as an intermediate for:

ESTERS

CH 3 — C — CH — 0 — C — R

a-AMINO KETONES

C H 3 — C — C H 2 — N R

C H s NL CH3cr\,

DIOXANE

/°\/CH3 •N)CH,

CYANOHYDRIN

CH3

OH

0—CH2- OH

a-AMINO ALCOHOLS

NHR I

C H 3 — C H — C H 2 — O H

HYDANTOIN 0

A HN NH

C H 3 — C — C = 0

CH2OH

Acetol is a very reactive compound which behaves chemically as both an alcohol and a ketone. (It also possesses properties and undergoes reactions peculiar to itself.) It's miscible with water and many organic solvents such as benzene, acetone, methanol, ether and acetic acid.

Acetol may be substituted in many reactions for an a/p/ia-haloketone such as bromoacetone, and has the advantages of being less corrosive, hazardous and ob­

noxious. A few other suggested applications are as an antiviral agent, a catalyst constituent for polymeriza­tion reactions, a curing compound for polyester molding compositions, and as an intermediate in photographic developing processes.

We haven't begun to explore all the reaction possi­bilities of acetol. If you'd like to try your hand, we'll send samples . . . Jefferson Chemical Company, Inc., P. O. Box 53300, Houston, Texas 77052.

Jefferson C&EN 77

070