Methylcyclohexanone refers to any of three isomers, 2-methylcyclohexanone, 3-methylcyclohexanone, and 4-methylcyclohexanone.[1] They can be viewed as derivative of cyclohexanone. They can be prepared by oxidation of methylcyclohexane as well as partial hydrogenation of the corresponding cresol. All are colorless liquids. The 2- and 3-isomers are chiral.
| Isomer | RN | m.p. (°C) | b.p. (°C) | density (g/cm3) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-methylcyclohexanone | 583-60-8 | −13.9 | 165.1 | 0.925 | |
| 3-methylcyclohexanone | 591-24-2 | −73.5 | 170.0 | 0.920 | |
| 4-methylcyclohexanone | 589-92-4 | −40.6 | 171.3 | 0.916 |