2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one

December 16, 2024
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2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (HMCP) is a cyclic ketone-aldehyde that has been known since 1926, when C. A. Rojahn and Ferdinande R眉hl at the Technical University of Braunschweig (Germany) 1. At the time, the molecule was known as methylcyclopentenolone.

HMCP is a tautomer of 3-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione2, in which the hydroxyl hydrogen of HMCP is shifted to the ring double bond to form a diketone. HMCP is the more thermodynamically favored compound; the two have the same melting and boiling points.

HMCP is one of the dozens of , as described by David W. Ball at Cleveland State University in 2007. On its own, HMCP has an aroma and taste that remind people of maple syrup or caramel. The synthetic commercial product is used as a food flavoring and perfume component, often under the name cyclotene.

HMCP is also widely known as 鈥渕aple lactone鈥� even though it does not contain the lactone structure.

1. Produced from the destructive distillation of wood; contains 鈮�10% acetic acid.
2. CAS Reg. No. 765-70-8.

2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one hazard information

Hazard class*GHS code and hazard statement
Acute toxicity, oral, category 4H302鈥擧armful if swallowedChemical Safety Warning
Skin sensitization, category 1H317鈥擬ay cause an allergic skin reactionChemical Safety Warning
Serious eye damage, category 1H318鈥擟auses serious eye damageChemical Safety Warning
Short-term (acute) aquatic hazard, category 3H402鈥擧armful to aquatic life

*Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. .

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2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one fast facts

CAS Reg. No.80-71-7
SciFindern name2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-
Empirical
formula
C6H8O2
Molar mass112.13 g/mol
AppearanceWhite to light yellow crystals or powder
Melting point105鈥�108 掳C
Boiling point179 掳C
Water
solubility
鈮�14 g/L
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