ACETONE. 109 



has the largest number of carbon-atoms) is oxidized, 

 yielding the fatty acid with the same number of carbon- 

 atoms, while the other residue remains in combination 

 with the CO and, together with this, is converted into the 

 corresponding acid. Thus dimethylketone CERCO.CH 3 

 yields formic and acetic acids; ethylmethylketone 

 CH 3 .CO.C 2 H 5 , only acetic acid; ethylbutylketone 

 C 2 H 5 .CO.C 4 H 9 , propionic and butyric acids, etc. 



1. Acetone (Dimethylketone). 

 C 3 H 6 = CTP.CO.CEP. 



Formation and preparation. By the action of zinc- 

 methyl on acetyl chloride; by the destructive dis 

 tillation of acetates; by the oxidation of isopropyl 

 alcohol and propylene ; by boiling the substance (p. 

 82) obtained from acetic ether by means of sodium 

 with water; by heating monobrompropylene with 

 mercury acetate and glacial acetic acid for several 

 days at 100; by heating citric acid; by distillation 

 of wood (hence contained in crude wood spirit), and 

 sugar or gum, mixed with lime. Is prepared most 

 expediently by distilling calcium acetate or a mixture 

 of lead acetate with lime. It is obtained on the large 

 scale, as a secondary product in the manufacture of 

 anilin with acetic acid and iron. 



Properties. Clear liquid, of a pleasant odor, miscible 

 with water, alcohol, and ether; specific gravity, 0.814; 

 boils at 58. 



Acetone combines, like aldehyde, with the bisul 

 phites, forming crystallizing compounds. Nascent 

 hydrogen converts it into isopropyl alcohol with 

 an accompanying formation of pinacone (s. hexylene 

 alcohol)^ Concentrated sulphuric acid, alkalies, and 

 caustic lime eliminate water from acetone, and convert 

 it into mesityl oxide C 6 H 10 (colorless liquid, boiling at 

 130), phoron C 9 II 14 (slightly colored crystals ; fusing 

 point, 28 ; boiling point, 196), and mesitylene C 9 H 12 

 (s. Aromatic Compounds). 

 10 



