What Is 1,4-Cyclohexanedione Monoethylene Acetal CAS 4746-97-8? Properties, Uses, and Sourcing Information

1,4-Cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal, CAS 4746-97-8, is a protected cyclohexanedione building block used primarily in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical intermediate development. Its molecular formula is commonly reported as C₈H₁₂O₃, with a calculated molecular weight of approximately 156.18 g/mol. The compound contains one ketone group and one cyclic ethylene-ketal group, allowing chemists to differentiate the two carbonyl functionalities during multistep synthesis. Because physical properties, purity, and appearance can vary by supplier and batch, I recommend confirming the current specification through a supplier-issued COA and SDS before purchase.

For more information, please visit our website.

Identity and Chemical Definition

1,4-Cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal is the mono-protected form of 1,4-cyclohexanedione. In practical terms, one carbonyl group is converted into a five-membered cyclic ketal with ethylene glycol, while the other ketone remains available for further chemical transformation. This selective protection can simplify reaction planning when a synthesis requires controlled modification at only one position of the cyclohexane ring.

The compound is also described using structural names associated with a spirocyclic ketal and ketone framework, including names based on the 1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane ring system. Naming conventions may differ between databases, catalogs, and internal specifications, so I advise buyers to confirm identity using the CAS number, molecular formula, molecular weight, structural representation, and analytical data together. PubChem is a useful public reference for checking chemical identifiers and structure-related information, but the supplier’s current COA remains the controlling document for a commercial lot.

For additional identity verification, I recommend comparing the supplier documentation with recognized chemical databases and the original literature used in the planned synthesis. PubChem provides a public resource for chemical names, identifiers, formulas, and related structure information. Buyers should also review the applicable SDS under the regulatory framework of the destination country before handling or importing the material.

Core Functions in Organic Synthesis

Selective Carbonyl Protection

The central value of this compound is its differential functionality. The ethylene ketal masks one carbonyl group, while the remaining ketone can participate in reactions such as condensation, reduction, oxidation, or carbon–carbon bond formation, depending on the synthesis design. This approach can reduce unwanted reaction at the protected carbonyl position and improve the order of operations in a multistep route.

A cyclic ketal is generally selected because it can remain stable under many basic or neutral reaction conditions, although stability depends on the complete reaction environment. Strongly acidic aqueous conditions may promote ketal hydrolysis and regenerate the carbonyl group. I therefore recommend checking solvent, acid concentration, water content, temperature, and reaction time before assigning this intermediate to a process step.

Route-Design Flexibility

After the unprotected ketone has been transformed, the ketal may be removed under a suitable deprotection protocol. The exact conditions should be established experimentally because substrate sensitivity, acid strength, solvent selection, and temperature can affect conversion and impurity formation. The compound is therefore best viewed as a route-design tool rather than as a universal reagent for every synthesis.

Typical Application Scenarios

1,4-Cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal is typically considered for research, process development, and manufacture of more complex organic intermediates. Its structure is relevant to medicinal chemistry programs that require substituted cyclohexanone derivatives, spirocyclic compounds, or selectively functionalized cyclic scaffolds. It may also be used in the preparation of specialty materials and other fine chemicals when a protected ketone intermediate is needed.

• Pharmaceutical intermediate development: It can serve as a protected cyclic building block during route scouting and scale-up studies.
• Medicinal chemistry: The remaining ketone offers a convenient reaction handle for preparing analog libraries and structurally diverse derivatives.
• Process chemistry: It may help control chemoselectivity in sequences involving multiple carbonyl or alcohol-related transformations.
• Specialty chemical synthesis: It can be evaluated where a cyclohexane-based protected intermediate is required.
• Academic and industrial research: It is suitable for experimental investigations subject to the user’s own hazard assessment and method validation.

These applications describe chemical suitability at a general level and do not establish suitability for a particular drug, formulation, or regulated manufacturing process. A buyer should evaluate reaction performance using the actual substrate, process conditions, and required impurity profile. In pharmaceutical work, additional qualification may be required before the material is introduced into a controlled production route.

Key Properties and Handling Considerations

The molecular formula and calculated molecular weight are useful for stoichiometric planning, but they are not a complete product specification. Commercial buyers should request appearance, assay, water content, residual solvents, chromatographic purity, and analytical identification data where these parameters are relevant to the process. Melting point, storage period, and physical form should also be confirmed from the current product documentation rather than assumed from a generic database entry.

Goto Maison Chemical to know more.

I recommend handling this material in accordance with the current SDS, using appropriate laboratory or industrial controls such as suitable gloves, eye protection, ventilation, and controlled weighing procedures. The SDS should be reviewed for hazard classification, first-aid measures, fire response, accidental-release procedures, and disposal requirements. Because hazard classifications can vary with jurisdiction and available toxicological data, I do not recommend relying on a generic assumption that the material is low hazard.

Storage conditions should be based on the supplier’s label and SDS, with attention to container closure, humidity, heat, direct light, and incompatibilities. For development batches, buyers may wish to monitor appearance and assay during a defined storage study rather than assigning an unverified shelf life. Any change in color, physical form, odor, or analytical profile should trigger a quality review before use.

How Buyers Should Select the Material

Confirm the Exact Chemical Identity

Start with the CAS number 4746-97-8, then verify the molecular formula, molecular weight, structure, and intended isomer or protected form. Similar names may refer to different cyclohexanedione derivatives, fully protected compounds, or positional isomers. I recommend requesting a structure image or chemical identifier cross-reference if the material will enter a validated or regulated process.

Match the Specification to the Route

A discovery-scale reaction may only require an assay and basic analytical profile, while process development may require tighter controls on water, residual solvents, trace metals, and batch-to-batch consistency. The appropriate purity level depends on the reaction’s sensitivity and the difficulty of removing related impurities downstream. Buyers should avoid paying for specifications that do not improve the process, but they should also avoid selecting a low-cost grade that creates additional purification work.

Evaluate Documentation and Supply Continuity

Before placing an order, request a recent COA, SDS, product specification, packaging details, estimated lead time, and available quantity. For repeated procurement, ask how the supplier manages lot traceability, change notification, retained samples, and production continuity. These controls are particularly important when the compound is used in a route that has already been scaled or transferred between sites.

Maison Chemical Supplier Support

At Maison Chemical, we support B2B buyers evaluating 1,4-cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal as a pharmaceutical or fine-chemical intermediate. We can discuss the required CAS number, target quantity, purity expectations, packaging format, destination, and documentation package before preparing a quotation. Availability, batch size, lead time, and commercial terms should be confirmed for each inquiry because they depend on production planning and order requirements.

Our technical discussion can include COA and SDS review, specification alignment, packaging selection, sample evaluation, and repeat-order planning where applicable. If a buyer has a defined synthetic route, providing the intended use and critical quality attributes helps us identify the most appropriate commercial specification. We do not recommend using a general catalog description as a substitute for lot-specific quality documentation.

Key Takeaways for B2B Buyers

• 1,4-Cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal is a mono-protected cyclohexanedione building block identified by CAS 4746-97-8.
• Its commonly reported formula is C₈H₁₂O₃, with a calculated molecular weight of approximately 156.18 g/mol.
• The compound combines one unprotected ketone with one cyclic ethylene-ketal-protected carbonyl.
• Its main value is selective functionalization in pharmaceutical intermediate, medicinal chemistry, process chemistry, and specialty synthesis.
• Ketal stability is condition-dependent, and acidic aqueous conditions may cause deprotection.
• Buyers should confirm assay, water, residual solvents, appearance, packaging, storage, and analytical identification through current supplier documents.
• For commercial sourcing, evaluate documentation, lot consistency, lead time, packaging, and continuity—not only unit price.

Conclusion: What Is CAS 4746-97-8?

1,4-Cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal CAS 4746-97-8 is a selectively protected cyclic ketone intermediate designed to provide controlled reactivity during organic synthesis. Its approximately 156.18 g/mol molecular weight and combination of one ketone with one ethylene ketal make it useful for preparing more complex pharmaceutical and specialty chemical structures. The best purchasing decision depends on the reaction route, required purity, moisture sensitivity, documentation needs, and expected supply volume.

As a next step, I recommend sending the supplier your target quantity, required assay, intended application, packaging preference, destination country, and requested documentation. Maison Chemical can then review the inquiry and provide current availability, commercial terms, and quality documents for evaluation. Final use should proceed only after the buyer’s technical, safety, regulatory, and process teams approve the selected material.

Reference Points

• PubChem, National Center for Biotechnology Information: public chemical structure and identifier reference for cross-checking names, formulas, and related information.
• Safety Data Sheet: the current supplier-issued SDS should be used for hazard communication, handling, storage, emergency response, and disposal requirements.
• Supplier Certificate of Analysis: the lot-specific COA should be used to verify assay, appearance, water, residual solvents, and other agreed quality attributes.

Are you interested in learning more about 1,4-Cyclohexanedione monoethylene acetal CAS 4746-97-8? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!