Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation, strong
irritant. Flammable, moderate fire risk.
Description
May be synthesized from organo-mercury compounds; by dehydrogenation of 3-hexanol in the presence of Ni-zinc oxide-phosphate catalyst; by hydrogenolysis of 2-ethylfuran; by passing
(5-furylpropionic acid (or 2-furanpropionic acid) over 5% Pt-C
catalyst to 250 to 300°C; by two patented processes.
Chemical Properties
3-Hexanone has an ethereal, grape, wine-like odor
Chemical Properties
colourless liquid
Occurrence
Reported found in coffee and, as a component in the volatile by-product developed during the catalytic hydrogenation of soybean oil using Ni catalysts; in the scent of green vegetable Nezara viridula. Also reported found in lime peel oil, black
currants, peach, pineapple, fried potato, Parmesan cheese, butter, milk, eggs, beef, fried pork, beer, rum, cocoa, coffee, filberts, passion fruit, plumcot, rose apple, mango, lemon balm, crab, Cape gooseberry and sweet grass oil.
Definition
ChEBI: 3-hexanone is a dialkyl ketone that is hexane in which the two methylene protons at position 3 have been replaced by an oxo group. It has a role as a human urinary metabolite, a human xenobiotic metabolite, an insect attractant, a plant metabolite and a bacterial xenobiotic metabolite. It derives from a hydride of a hexane.
Preparation
From organo-mercury compounds; by dehydrogenation of 3-hexanol in the presence of Ni-zinc oxide-phosphate catalyst;
by hydrogenolysis of 2-ethylfuran; by passing β-furylpropionic acid (or 2-furanpropionic acid) over 5% Pt-C catalyst from 250 to
300°C; by two patented processes
Aroma threshold values
Detection: 41 to 81 ppb
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 30 ppm: sweet, fruity and waxy with rum notes
Synthesis Reference(s)
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 96, p. 4721, 1974
DOI: 10.1021/ja00821a085The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 45, p. 2269, 1980
Tetrahedron Letters, 11, p. 27, 1970
General Description
3-Hexanone, a volatile dialkyl ketone, is a well-known flavor and aroma ingredient present in food and beverage products.
