For professionals in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and fragrance industries, a thorough understanding of chemical compounds is foundational. 4-Hydroxyacetophenone, identified by CAS number 99-93-4, is one such compound that warrants detailed examination due to its diverse applications. Delving into its physical and chemical properties, as well as its typical production methods, provides valuable insight for procurement, R&D, and quality control professionals.

Physical Characteristics of 4-Hydroxyacetophenone

Typically, 4-Hydroxyacetophenone presents itself as:

  • Appearance: White to pale yellow needle-like crystals or crystalline powder. This visual characteristic is an initial indicator of quality for many buyers.
  • Melting Point: Reported values generally fall between 109-111°C (literature values). This is a critical parameter for identifying and assessing the purity of the compound.
  • Solubility: It is slightly soluble in water but readily dissolves in common organic solvents such as ethanol, diethyl ether, acetone, and chloroform. This solubility profile dictates its use in various reaction media and purification processes.

Chemical Properties and Reactivity

The chemical behavior of 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is defined by its two key functional groups:

  • Phenolic Hydroxyl Group: This group exhibits a degree of acidity, enabling it to react with bases to form salts. It also plays a role in its antioxidant potential and reactivity in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.
  • Carbonyl Group: The ketone functional group readily participates in typical carbonyl reactions, including addition, reduction, and condensation. For instance, it can react with hydroxylamine to form an oxime or with phenylhydrazine to form a phenylhydrazone.

These properties make 4-Hydroxyacetophenone a versatile intermediate for a wide range of organic syntheses.

Common Production Methods

The most common industrial method for producing 4-Hydroxyacetophenone involves the acylation of phenol. A typical process includes:

  1. Friedel-Crafts Acylation: Phenol is reacted with acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst (e.g., aluminum chloride, AlCl₃). This reaction selectively introduces the acetyl group onto the phenol ring, predominantly at the para position, yielding 4-Hydroxyacetophenone.
  2. Separation and Purification: After the reaction, the product is isolated from the reaction mixture and subjected to purification processes such as crystallization, distillation, or chromatography to achieve the desired purity levels (e.g., 99%min).

Why This Matters for Buyers

Understanding these properties and production methods is crucial for B2B buyers looking to purchase 4-Hydroxyacetophenone. It helps in:

  • Quality Assessment: Knowing the expected appearance and melting point range aids in evaluating the quality of incoming materials.
  • Application Suitability: Understanding its solubility and reactivity ensures it is the correct intermediate for your specific synthesis or formulation needs.
  • Supplier Evaluation: Knowledge of common production routes allows for more informed discussions with potential manufacturers and suppliers regarding their processes and quality control measures.

When you seek to buy 4-Hydroxyacetophenone, engaging with a supplier like NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. who can articulate these details demonstrates their technical expertise and commitment to providing high-quality chemicals. This knowledge empowers you to make informed purchasing decisions for your critical raw material needs.