Chemical Properties
White or light yellow solid
Uses
1,1,3-Tribromoacetone is an impurity of Methotrexate (HY-14519). Methotrexate, an antimetabolite and antifolate agent, inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, thereby preventing the conversion of folic acid into tetrahydrofolate, and inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Synthesis
150 g of bromine dissolved in 500 ml of glacial acetic acid are added dropwise to a solution containing 210 g of 1,3-dibromoacetone in 500 ml glacial acetic acid at 80-90° C during one hour without additional heating. When the reaction is complete the acetic acid is removed and a forerun in a vacuum afford 180 g of 1,1,3-tribromoacetone (b.p. 114-116/14 mm), and 21 g of 1,1,1,3-tetrabromoacetone (b.p. 132-133°/13 mm).
