MOLECULE

Acetophenone

Acetophenone, also known as 1-phenylethanone or acetylbenzene, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as alkyl-phenylketones. These are aromatic compounds containing a ketone substituted by one alkyl group, and a phenyl group. The chemical formula of acetophenone is C6H5C(O)CH3. It is the simplest aromatic ketone. This colourless, viscous liquid is a precursor to useful resins and fragrances. Acetophenone is used as a flavouring ingredient for fruit flavours and as a leavening agent. Acetophenone is also the starting material for the synthesis of some pharmaceuticals and is listed as an approved excipient by the U.S. FDA. Acetophenone is currently listed as a Group D carcinogen indicating that it does not produce carcinogenic effects in humans. In a 1994 report released by five top cigarette companies in the U.S., acetophenone was listed as one of the 599 additives to cigarettes. Acetophenone is found in many foods, some of which are chicory, spearmint, watermelon, rocket salad, and pepper (spice), apple, cheese, apricot, banana, beef, and cauliflower. Acetophenone has also been found in the volatile fraction of Cannabis sativa samples obtained from police seizures (PMID: 26657499) and is a constituent of marijuana smoke (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2). Acetophenone is volatilized during the combustion of cannabis.