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• Solvents and Organic Chemicals Organic Compounds Organic oxygen compounds Organooxygen compounds Beta-hydroxy ketones
• Solvents and Organic Chemicals Organic Compounds Aldehyde/Ketone

Comprehensive Analysis of 4-hydroxybutan-2-one (CAS No. 590-90-9): Properties, Applications, and Industry Trends

4-hydroxybutan-2-one, also known as 4-hydroxy-2-butanone or 1-hydroxy-3-butanone (CAS 590-90-9), is a versatile hydroxy ketone compound with significant relevance in pharmaceutical, fragrance, and specialty chemical industries. This colorless to pale yellow liquid exhibits a characteristic sweet, caramel-like odor, making it valuable for flavor enhancers and aroma formulations. Its molecular structure (C₄H₈O₂) features both hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups, enabling diverse chemical reactivity that aligns with current green chemistry trends.

Recent advancements in biocatalysis have spotlighted 590-90-9 as a target molecule for sustainable production. A 2023 study in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering demonstrated enzymatic synthesis routes achieving >90% yield, addressing growing demand for bio-based ketones. This resonates with industry searches for "eco-friendly hydroxy ketone synthesis" and "4-hydroxybutan-2-one production methods," reflecting heightened environmental consciousness among researchers.

The compound's solvent properties and hydrogen-bonding capacity make it valuable in:
? Pharmaceutical intermediates: Precursor for GABA-analogues and nootropic compounds
? Flavor & fragrance: Key component in fruit and dairy flavor profiles
? Polymer chemistry: Building block for specialty polyesters
Patent analysis reveals a 40% increase in applications involving 4-hydroxy-2-butanone derivatives since 2020, particularly in controlled-release drug formulations.

Analytical characterization of CAS 590-90-9 typically employs:
- GC-MS (retention time ~8.2min on DB-5 columns)
- ¹H NMR (δ 2.15 ppm, singlet, CH₃)
- FTIR (1715 cm^-1 C=O stretch)
These parameters are frequently searched by quality control professionals verifying hydroxy ketone purity standards.

Market projections indicate 6.2% CAGR for 4-hydroxybutan-2-one through 2028, driven by:
1. Expanding nutraceutical applications
2. Demand for natural identical flavors
3. Novel biodegradable polymer development
Regulatory compliance remains crucial, with 590-90-9 listed in FCC, EU Flavor Directive, and FDA GRAS inventories.

Storage recommendations for 4-hydroxybutan-2-one emphasize:
? Amber glass containers under nitrogen
? Temperature-controlled environments (2-8°C)
? Protection from oxidative degradation
Stability studies show >24-month shelf life when properly stored, a key consideration for bulk purchasers.

Emerging research explores 590-90-9's potential in:
- Battery electrolytes: As hydrogen-bonding modifier
- Carbon capture: Chelating agent for amine systems
These cutting-edge applications respond to searches for "hydroxy ketones in energy storage" and "CO₂ capture chemicals."

Quality specifications for technical-grade 4-hydroxybutan-2-one typically require:
? ≥98.5% purity (GC)
? Water content ≤0.5% (Karl Fischer)
? Peroxide value ≤10 meq/kg
Stringent testing meets GMP standards for pharmaceutical applications.

The compound's structure-activity relationship continues to inspire medicinal chemistry research, particularly regarding:
? Blood-brain barrier permeability enhancement
? Prodrug linker functionality
? Chiral synthesis applications
These aspects dominate academic literature citations for CAS 590-90-9 since 2021.

Industrial scale production of 4-hydroxybutan-2-one increasingly adopts:
- Continuous flow reactors
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- In-line purification systems
Such process intensification methods address frequent queries about "scaling hydroxy ketone production" and "cost-effective synthesis."

Environmental fate studies confirm 590-90-9's:
? Ready biodegradability (OECD 301D)
? Low bioaccumulation potential (log P_ow ~-0.3)
? Minimal aquatic toxicity (EC₅₀ >100mg/L)
These properties support its selection in sustainable formulation strategies.

For researchers exploring 4-hydroxybutan-2-one, key reference data includes:
? Boiling point: 164-166°C @760mmHg
? Density: 1.045 g/mL @20°C
? Refractive index: n_D²⁰ 1.421-1.423
Such physicochemical parameters are essential for process design and formulation development.

Future outlook suggests growing importance of CAS 590-90-9 in:
? Precision fermentation pathways
? Click chemistry applications
? Ionic liquid formulations
Industry conferences increasingly feature sessions on these advanced applications of hydroxy ketone chemistry.

• 67633-95-8(1-hydroxydecan-3-one)
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• 343927-00-4(2,4-Hexanedione,6-hydroxy-)
• 4254-85-7(1,5-Dihydroxypentan-3-one)
• 77110-34-0(Pentanone,hydroxymethyl- (9CI))
• 140-86-3(1,4-Dihydroxy-2-butanone, >85%)
• 82353-69-3(3-Undecanone, 1-hydroxy-)
• 10575-28-7(3-Octadecanone, 1-hydroxy-)
• 6975-85-5(4-Methoxybutan-2-one)
• 67801-46-1(1-hydroxynonan-3-one)