Geranylacetone
Geranylacetone is an organic compound with the formula CH3C2CH=C2CH=C2. A colorless oil, it is the product of coupling geranyl and acetonyl groups. It is a precursor to synthetic squalene.
Synthesis and occurrence
Geranylacetone can be produced by transesterification of ethyl acetoacetate with linalool:The esterification of linalool can also be effected with ketene or isopropenyl methyl ether. The resulting linalyl ester undergoes Carroll rearrangement to give geranylacetone. Geranyl acetone is a precursor to isophytol, which is used in the manufacture of Vitamin E. Other derivatives of geranyl acetone are farnesol and nerolidol.
Geranylacetone is a flavor component of many plants including rice, mango, and tomatoes.
Together with other ketones, geranylacetone results from the degradation of vegetable matter by ozone.