4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone

Description

4-(p-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone has an intensely sweet, floral, fruity odor and a cherry-raspberry flavor at low concentrations. May be prepared by condensing acetone with anisaldehyde to yield anisylidene acetone and subsequent hydrogenation in the presence of Pd catalyst.

Chemical properties

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone is a clear colourless to pale yellow liquid. B.P. 277℃. Solidifies in the cold, melts again at 10℃. Very slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils, poorly soluble in Propylene glycol. Intensely sweet, floral and slightly fruity, Cherry-preserve-like odor of good tenacity. It has considerable resemblance to Heliotropine in its overall performance in a composition. Pleasant, sweet-fruity, Cherry-Raspberry-type flavor at concentrations below 40 ppm. Tends to appear "perfumey" at levels higher than 100 ppm.

Chemical properties

4-(p-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone has an intensely sweet, floral,fruity odor and cherry–raspberry flavor at low concentrations.

Occurrence

Contained (approximately 53% level) in the odorous principle obtained by extraction and hydrolysis from aloe wood (Aquilaria algallocha Roxb.) and in anise.

The Uses of 4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone is used as pharmaceutical intermediate.

The Uses of 4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone is used in insect attractants, organic synthesis, flavoring. This ketone, a methylether of a very popular material (see para-Hydroxy phenylbutanone), finds use in perfume compositions as a modifier for Heliotropine, a sweetener for Cyclamen aldehyde, and a blender in many types of sweet florals, Fougeres, Oriental fragrances, etc. It suffers from the drawback of being considerably more expensive than Heliotropine, and it can therefore not truly be classified as a substitute for that material. It shows less tendency of discoloration in combination with the materials normally causing such trouble with Heliotropine. It is also used in flavor compositions, particularly in Raspberty and Cherry, two flavors which are commonly used as targets for fantasy fragrances for Iipst ick perfumes. As a sweetener, it modifies Anise and Anethole in licorice flavor compositions, and it is generally used in smaller amounts in many imitation fruit flavors for baked goods or hard candy, where heat stability is essential.

Preparation

By condensing acetone with anisaldehyde to yield anisylidene acetone and subsequent hydrogenation in the presence of Pd catalyst. It can also be prepared from Methyl vinyl ketone by catalytic condensation with Phenol, followed by Methylation.

Definition

ChEBI: 4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone is a member of methoxybenzenes.

Aroma threshold values

Aroma characteristics at 5.0%: sweet, fruity, woody, powdery, honey, vanilla, raspberry and ionone-like.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 40 ppm: floral, woody, ionone, raspberry, fruity, spice and berry.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron Letters, 33, p. 951, 1992 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)91585-5

Safety Profile

Low oral and skin toxicity. A flammable liquid. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.