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Chemical product profile

HONGKUN / PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Ethyl 3-benzoylacrylate | CAS 17450-56-5

A conjugated ketone–ester coupling partner for addition and cyclisation chemistry, combining a benzoyl group and an ethyl ester across an alkene whose geometric composition should be specified independently of total assay.

CAS17450-56-5
Molecular formulaC12H12O3
Molecular weight204.22 g/mol

Product overview

Ethyl 3-benzoylacrylate places an alkene between two different carbonyl groups: a benzoyl ketone and an ethyl ester. This unsymmetrical 1,4-dicarbonyl arrangement provides more reaction choices than a simple acrylate and features in published nitrogen-heterocycle synthesis. The CAS identity corresponds to ethyl (E)-4-oxo-4-phenylbut-2-enoate, while external commercial descriptions may specify material as predominantly trans. The E/Z composition of a proposed batch should therefore be agreed explicitly. Procurement also needs to distinguish organic assay from a method that resolves geometric isomers and other carbonyl-containing compounds associated with the selected manufacturing route.

Chemical identity

Chemical name
Ethyl 3-benzoylacrylate
CAS number
17450-56-5
Molecular formula
C12H12O3
Molecular weight
204.22 g/mol

Application context

Rhodium-catalysed research uses ethyl 3-benzoylacrylate in C–H conjugate-addition/cyclisation sequences with nitrogen-containing partners. Its two unlike carbonyl groups provide an unsymmetrical substrate for addition followed by ring formation, enabling access to different nitrogen heterocycles according to the coupling partner. This is useful in method development where both carbonyl placement and alkene geometry define the starting material. For qualification, review E/Z composition separately from total assay and agree the analytical treatment of other ketoesters. A specification should identify the ester as ethyl and the ketone as benzoyl so that constitutional analogues are not treated as equivalent inputs.

Chemistry and synthetic role

The PhCOCH=CHCO2Et chain is a conjugated, unsymmetrical 1,4-dicarbonyl system. The ketone and ester are chemically distinct termini, and the alkene introduces an E/Z identity question.

Quality review

Define alkene composition

Agree the E-isomer requirement and how any Z component is measured and reported.

Confirm carbonyl placement

Use structural identification to verify PhCOCH=CHCO2Et and the ethyl ester.

Separate assay and related ketoesters

State the chromatographic or quantitative assay method and relevant carbonyl-related impurity limits.

Preparing a specification

Request ethyl 3-benzoylacrylate with defined E/Z composition, quantitative assay basis, structural identification and limits for relevant ketoester or carbonyl impurities.

Packaging and storage

Packaging and net weight are agreed for the selected grade, order quantity and destination. Check the actual supplier SDS and label for storage and transport requirements.

Documentation

Request a batch COA, SDS and the analytical methods for the acceptance criteria below. Confirm which supporting chromatograms and identity data are available from the selected manufacturer.

Procurement questions

Does predominantly trans mean a single isomer?

No. The batch needs an explicit geometric-isomer result or agreed acceptance criterion.

Is this ethyl benzoylacetate?

No. Benzoylacetate has a different carbon chain and lacks this conjugated alkene arrangement.

Can one purity figure describe all requirements?

Only if the method and reporting basis also address the specified isomers and related substances.

Technical sources
  1. PubChem CID 5369605NCBI / PubChem
  2. Ethyl 3-benzoylacrylate, predominantly transThermo Fisher Scientific
  3. Ethyl 3-benzoylacrylateSigma-Aldrich
  4. Convergent Synthesis of Diverse Nitrogen Heterocycles via Rh(III)-Catalyzed C–H Conjugate Addition/Cyclization ReactionsPrimary research article archived in PMC