Description
May be synthesized from l-chlorobutan-2-one by hydrolysis or
by heating the chloro compound with potassium formate in methanol; the ethyl ester may be prepared by bacterial oxidation of the
corresponding glycol with Aspergillus niger.
Chemical Properties
Colorless liquid
Occurrence
Reported found in coffee and mushrooms.
Preparation
From 1-chlorobutan-2-one by hydrolysis or by heating the chloro compound with potassium formate in methanol; the
ethyl ester may be prepared by bacterial oxidation of the corresponding glycol with Aspergillus niger.
Definition
ChEBI: 1-hydroxybutan-2-one is a primary alpha-hydroxy ketone that is butane-1,2-diol in which the hydroxy group at position 2 has been formally oxidised to give the corresponding ketone. It is functionally related to a butan-2-one and a butane-1,2-diol.
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 30 ppm: brown, oily and alcoholic with toasted grain notes.
