Ketone

Ketone is a chemical raw material that appears as white to pale yellow crystals or powder, with a melting point of 90–91°C and a boiling range of 90–100°C (2000Pa). It occurs naturally in Burley tobacco and has a characteristic tobacco aroma with a slightly cool and sweet sensation, making it an excellent tobacco flavoring agent. It is heat-resistant, acid-resistant, and stable in nature. It is non-toxic and has anti-mold properties. Ketone is mainly used in food and cigarette flavorings. Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 57696-89-6.

CAS Number: 57696-89-6

Chinese Name: Ketone

Pinyin: yān tóng

Chinese Synonyms: 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one

English Name: 3,5,5-TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANE-1,2-DIONE

English Synonyms: 3,5,5-TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANE-1,2-DIONE

Molecular Formula: C9H14O2

Molecular Weight: 154.21

Uses

GB 2760-1997 stipulates it as an approved food flavoring agent.

It is primarily used as a high-grade tobacco flavoring agent, enhancing tobacco aroma and taste while improving the overall flavor of cigarettes. It can also be used in the formulation of thiazole, tangerine, orange, pineapple, and other series of food and beverage flavorings, as well as serving as an intermediate in organic synthesis. Ketone is a rare and essential spice for blending tobacco and food flavorings. Its use in cigarettes effectively enhances tobacco aroma and richness, reduces harshness and off-flavors, and improves the overall taste of cigarettes. In high-grade cigarettes, it elevates the product's quality; in mid-to-low-grade cigarettes, it enhances their overall appeal. Ketone possesses a pleasant coffee aroma and fragrant scent. Since only a small amount can be extracted and purified from tobacco leaves, far from meeting market demand, it is primarily used in food and cigarette flavorings. In the production of food, beverages, candies, and cigarettes, even a tiny amount of Ketone provides excellent flavor-enhancing effects, making the product taste delightful. Foreign flavor companies began developing synthetic Ketone in the mid-1980s.

With the deepening of reform and opening-up, the material and cultural living standards of the Chinese people are continuously improving, leading to a growing demand for flavorings and fragrances. In recent years, some high-end flavorings developed and widely used in Western developed countries have also been introduced and applied domestically, with Ketone being one such example.

It is a high-end spice commercialized internationally in the late 20th century and has been developed and researched domestically in recent years. Research and application have shown that Ketone is an indispensable primary spice for blending tobacco and food flavorings. Its use in cigarettes effectively enhances tobacco aroma and richness, reduces harshness and off-flavors, and improves the overall taste of cigarettes. In high-grade cigarettes, it elevates the product's quality; in mid-to-low-grade cigarettes, it enhances their overall appeal. Due to its unique effects in the tobacco industry, Ketone is highly favored by people.