1,3-Cyclohexanedione is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)4(CO)2. It is one of three isomeric cyclohexanediones. It is a colorless compound that occurs naturally. It is the substrate for cyclohexanedione hydrolase. The compound exists mainly as the enol tautomer.[1]
1,3-Cyclohexanedione is produced by semi-hydrogenation of resorcinol:[2]
C6H4(OH)2 + H2 → C6H8O2
1,3-Cyclohexanedione exists in solution predominantly as the enol tautomer.
It reacts under acid catalysis with alcohols to 3-alkoxyenones.[1] Its pKa is 5.26. Treatment of the sodium salt of the enolate with methyl iodide gives 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, which also exists predominantly as the enol.[3]
Dimedone (5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione) is a well established reagent.[4]
Several herbicides against grasses are formal derivatives of 1,3-cyclohexanedione. Examples of commercial products include cycloxydim, clethodim, tralkoxydim, butroxydim, sethoxydim, profoxydim, and mesotrione.[5]