Acetophenone

An aromatic methyl ketone with different groups on either side of its carbonyl.

Formula
C8H8O
Functional group
Ketones; Methyl ketones; Acylbenzenes
Molar mass
120.15 g/mol
Also known as
1-phenylethanone, Methyl phenyl ketone, Phenyl methyl ketone, Acetylbenzene, Hypnone, Ethanone, 1-phenyl-

Overview

An aromatic methyl ketone with different groups on either side of its carbonyl.

The carbonyl is bonded to phenyl and methyl groups. Reduction gives 1-phenylethanol and creates a stereogenic centre; an achiral reaction environment can form both configurations. Its aldehyde analogue is benzaldehyde, whose carbonyl carbon bears hydrogen instead of methyl.

Identifiers

Formula
C8H8O
Functional group
Ketones; Methyl ketones; Acylbenzenes
Molar mass
120.15 g/mol
Also known as
1-phenylethanone, Methyl phenyl ketone, Phenyl methyl ketone, Acetylbenzene, Hypnone, Ethanone, 1-phenyl-
Chemical identifiers
SMILES
CC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1
InChI
InChI=1S/C8H8O/c1-7(9)8-5-3-2-4-6-8/h2-6H,1H3
PubChem CID
7410

Properties

Melting Point
19.4 °C
Boiling Point
202.1 °C
Density
1.0281 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Water solubility
In water, 6,130 mg/L at 25 °C

Related compounds

  • Ketones

    An aromatic methyl ketone with different groups on either side of its carbonyl.

  • Methyl ketones

    An aromatic methyl ketone with different groups on either side of its carbonyl.

  • Acylbenzenes

    An aromatic methyl ketone with different groups on either side of its carbonyl.

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary: Acetophenone (CID 7410)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem

    Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.

  2. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Nucleophilic addition reactions of aldehydes and ketonesJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

    Supports the qualitative structure and reactivity context; identity and numerical measurements retain their original references.

  3. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Nucleophilic addition of hydride and Grignard reagents: alcohol formationJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

    Supports the qualitative structural interpretation of the recorded molecular structure; no new physical measurement or verified preparative yield is claimed.

  4. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Acetophenone — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7410#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-6

  5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Acetophenone — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7410#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-6

  6. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Acetophenone — densityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7410#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-6

  7. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Acetophenone — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7410#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Southworth GR, Keller JL; Water Air Soil Poll 28: 239-48 (1986)