1,1-Diphenylacetone

1,1-Diphenylacetone is an organic compound composed of a benzhydryl group and a methyl group attached to a central carbonyl group.

Preparation

One method is where phenylacetone is dissolved in benzene, reacted with bromine to effect an α-keto bromination and stirred for 3-6 hours. Then this mixture is slowly added to a solution of anhydrous aluminium chloride in benzene to catalyze a Friedel-Crafts alkylation. A lengthy workup of the reaction mixture ends in recrystallization of the product 1,1-diphenylacetone from petroleum ether.

Alternative syntheses:

Applications

1. β-Phenylmethamphetamine
2. Diphenadione

References