Dimedone
Dimedone is a cyclic diketone used in organic chemistry to determine whether a compound contains an aldehyde group. Cyclohexanediones in general can be used as catalysts in the formation of transition-metal complexes. Other uses include applications in colorimetry, crystallography, luminescence and spectrophotometric analysis. It can also be used for chemistry involving organic compounds of low electrical resistance.Synthesis
Dimedone is prepared from mesityl oxide and diethyl malonate.Physical properties
Dimedone usually comes in the form of white crystals. It is stable under ambient conditions and soluble in water, as well as ethanol and methanol. It has a melting point range of 147–150 °C.Tautomerism
Dimedone is in equilibrium with its tautomer in solution — in a 2:1 keto to enol ratio in chloroform.
Crystalline dimedone contains chains of molecules, in the enol form, linked by hydrogen bonds:
