clear light yellow liquid
4′-Methylpropiophenone is a chemical reagent used in electrocarboxylation reactions.
4'-methylpropiophenone has been reported to be used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds such as tolperisone and other muscle relaxants. The substance is also a starting material in the synthesis of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone). Mephedrone has been encountered as a ‘legal high’ and on the illicit drug market masquerading as cocaine (in powder form), MDMA (in tablet form) and as an adulterant. According to the 2016 European Drugs Market Report produced by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), mephedrone has created a specific demand and carved its own distinct market share.
4′-Methylpropiophenone can be used as a building block to synthesize:
N-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N′-[1-(4-methylphenyl)propyl]urea as a potential CRAC channel inhibitor.
Mono and trinuclear cobaloxime/organocobaloxime complexes, which are used as efficient catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates.
Tolperisone (TOL) via acid-catalyzed reaction with piperidine hydrochloride and 1,2-dioxolane.
ChEBI: 4-methylpropiophenone is an aromatic ketone that is propiophenone bearing a methyl group at C-4. It derives from a propiophenone.
4'-Methylpropiophenone can be synthesized through various methods. One common approach involves the reaction of propiophenone with methylmagnesium bromide or methyl lithium in the presence of a catalyst. Another method utilizes Friedel-Crafts acylation, where propiophenone is acylated with methyl chloride or methyl bromide using a Lewis acid catalyst. These methods allow for the controlled introduction of the methyl group onto the phenyl ring.