Mesityl oxide is a ñ,ò-unsaturated ketone with the formula CH<sub>3</sub>C(O)CH=C(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. This compound is a colorless, volatile liquid with a honey-like odor.
It is prepared by the aldol condensation of acetone to give diacetone alcohol, which readily dehydrates to give this compound.
Phorone and isophorone may be formed under the same conditions. Isophorone originates via a Michael addition:
Phorone is formed by continued aldol condensation:
Mesityl oxide can be converted into methyl isobutyl ketone by palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation:
Further hydrogenation gives 4-methyl-2-pentanol (methyl isobutyl carbinol).
Dimedone is another established use of mesityl oxide.
Mesityl oxide also finds use in the synthesis of Diacetonamine [625-04-7], which itself finds application in synthesis of Eucaine & ñ-Eucaine.