Methyl isobutyl ketone

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Methyl isobutyl ketone
Image:MIBK.png
General
Systematic name	2-Methylpentan-4-one
Other names	Isopropylacetone Hexone Isobutyl methyl ketone Isopropylacetone 4-Methylpentan-2-one 4-Methyl-2-pentanone
Molecular formula	C₆H₁₂O
SMILES	CC(C)CC(=O)C
Molar mass	100.2 g/mol
Appearance	colorless liquid
CAS number	[108-10-1]
Properties
Density and phase	0.80 g/ml, liquid
Solubility in water	1.91 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Melting point	−84.7 °C
Boiling point	117-118 °C
Acidity (pK_a)	?
Viscosity	0.58 cP at 20.0 °C
Dipole moment	4.2 D
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU classification	Flammable (F) Harmful (Xn)
NFPA 704	Image:NFPA 704.svg 3 2 0
R-phrases	R11, R20, R36/37, R66
S-phrases	S2, S9, S16, S29
Flash point	14 °C
RTECS number	SA9275000
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Related ketones	Methyl isopropyl ketone Pentan-2-one
Related compounds	2-Methylpentan-4-ol
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is a ketone that is widely used as a solvent. Unlike the other common ketone solvents, acetone and MEK, MIBK has quite low solubility in water, allowing it to be used for liquid-liquid extraction. It has a similar polarity to the ester solvent ethyl acetate, but higher stability towards aqueous acid or base than ethyl acetate.

Methyl isobutyl ketone is manufactured from acetone, via a three-step process. Firstly acetone is dimerised via the aldol condensation to give diacetone alcohol, which readily dehydrates to give mesityl oxide. Mesityl oxide can then be hydrogenated to give MIBK.

Image:MIBK synthesis.png

[edit] Uses

It is used as a solvent for CS in the preparation of the CS spray used currently by British police forces. <ref name=CS>Response to BMJ editorial Peter J Gray (25 February 2000)</ref>