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 CH 3 .CO.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 = CEP.CO.CH 3 . 



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 H 14 (slightly colored crystals ; fusing 

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

 (s. Aromatic Compounds). 

 10 



