2',4'-Dimethylacetophenone

2',4'-Dimethylacetophenone is an acetylating agent that can be used in organic synthesis. It is a chiral compound, which means it has two enantiomers with different properties. The racemic mixture of 2',4'-dimethylacetophenone degrades to form 2-chloro-2',4'-dimethoxybenzene and 2,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid. The reaction time for the formation of these products depends on the concentration of the reactants as well as the acid catalyst used. The Friedel-Crafts acylation occurs when an acetylated phenol reacts with an alkyl halide in the presence of an acid catalyst. This reaction produces a diketone and an alkyl halide, which can then undergo a second Friedel-Crafts acylation with another acetylated phenol. Acetylation also methylates ketones to produce methyl ketones.ref