Understanding 4-Acetylanisole (CAS 100-06-1): Properties, Uses, and Industrial Applications
A clear look at what 4-Acetylanisole is, what makes 100-06-1 useful in manufacturing, and where this specialty aromatic intermediate fits across industrial applications.
In industrial chemistry, certain compounds earn their place by being quietly essential. 4-Acetylanisole is one of them. Valued for its reliable reactivity and stable handling behaviour, this specialty aromatic intermediate shows up in some of the most commercially significant value chains in manufacturing today. Think about UV-blocking chemistry, pharmaceutical synthesis, fragrance formulations, and specialty industrial products. If your work touches any of these sectors, understanding the properties, uses, and industrial applications of 4-MAP is well worth your time.
What Is 4-Acetylanisole?
4-Acetylanisole is an aromatic ketone identified by CAS number 100-06-1. You will also find it listed under the names 4-MAP and 4-Methoxyacetophenone, depending on the supplier or database you are referencing.
Here are the basics:
- Molecular formula: C₉H₁₀O₂
- Molecular weight: 150.17 g/mol
- Role: Intermediate used in synthesis and specialty industrial applications
4-Acetylanisole in one line:
A high-value aromatic intermediate used in UV absorber chemistry, pharma-linked synthesis, fragrance applications, and specialty formulations.
Key Properties of 100-06-1 That Shape Its Industrial Use
What makes a chemical useful in manufacturing is rarely one single feature. For 4-Acetylanisole, several properties work together to make it a practical choice across multiple industries.
- Physical Form: It is usually stored and transported as a white to light-yellow crystalline solid. This is advantageous from a logistics perspective.
- Stability: It exhibits the chemical stability preferred in industrial chemical synthesis routes. This means that the reactions occur with predictable results and yield consistent outcomes.
- Solubility Behaviour: It is easily soluble in organic solvents but is only slightly soluble in water. This is important from the perspective of processing and formulation.
- Processing Relevance: It is advantageous from the perspective of chemical reactions. If an intermediate is to be synthesised with predictable results and a consistent outcome, then 100-06-1 is an appropriate choice.
These properties are closely tied to application performance, which the next section covers.
Where 4-MAP Is Used and Why Those Industries Value It
This is where the compound’s commercial relevance becomes clear. Four major application areas drive demand for 4-Acetylanisole across global markets.
- UV-Blocking and Sunscreen Chemistry
One of the strongest commercial applications for 4-MAP is its role as a precursor in producing Avobenzone. Avobenzone is a widely used UVA-blocking agent found in sunscreen formulations around the world. The consistent purity and reactivity of 100-06-1 make it a preferred starting material in this synthesis pathway.
- Pharmaceutical Intermediate Use
Pharmaceutical manufacturers use 4-Acetylanisole in intermediate chemistry where purity and batch-to-batch consistency directly affect product quality. Its predictable reaction behaviour supports the precise conditions that pharma synthesis demands.
- Fragrance and Flavour Applications
The compound also plays a role in fragrance and flavour chemistry. Its odour profile and synthetic versatility make it useful in perfumery applications and flavouring work, where it serves both as a building block and a functional ingredient.
- Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Formulations
Beyond personal care and pharma, 4-MAP finds use in agrochemical synthesis, photo-stabiliser production, coatings, and polymer formulations. Any application where UV resistance or specialty synthesis value is needed can benefit from this intermediate.
Why 4-Acetylanisole Matters as an Intermediate
Many specialty chemicals earn their commercial value by helping manufacturers produce something even more important downstream. 4-Acetylanisole is a clear example of this principle in action.
Consider the Avobenzone connection. On its own, 100-06-1 is a useful aromatic ketone. As a precursor to one of the world’s most widely used UVA filters, it becomes a critical link in a high-value supply chain.
Industrial buyers typically choose a compound like 4-MAP because it combines three things they care about most: purity, stable handling behaviour, and proven synthetic usefulness. When all three align, the compound moves from being a catalogue listing to a genuine manufacturing asset.
What Makes 100-06-1 Commercially Attractive?
Here is a quick summary of why this material holds steady demand across industries:
| Commercial Factor | Why It Matters |
| Stable aromatic structure | Supports reliable and repeatable synthesis pathways |
| High-purity industrial grades | Helps maintain batch consistency across production runs |
| Multi-industry relevance | Expands the compound’s value across pharma, personal care, and specialty chemicals |
| UV-absorber precursor role | Links directly to high-value downstream applications like Avobenzone |
How Manufacturers Evaluate a Chemical Like 4-MAP Before Purchase
Before placing an order, industrial buyers typically run through a practical checklist:
- Purity and batch consistency: Does the supplied grade meet the synthesis specification?
- Physical form and handling profile: Is the material easy to store, transport, and process?
- Synthesis suitability: Will it perform reliably in the intended reaction pathway?
- Documentation support: Is a Technical Data Sheet available with full specifications?
- Supply scale: Can the supplier support both sample quantities and bulk volumes?
These factors often determine which supplier relationship moves forward, and which stays on the shortlist.
Is 4-Acetylanisole the Same as 4-MAP?
Yes. 4-MAP, 4-Acetylanisole, and 4-Methoxyacetophenone all refer to the same compound, registered under CAS 100-06-1. Different industries and databases may favour one name over another, but the underlying chemistry is identical. Checking the CAS number is always the most reliable way to confirm that you are sourcing the right material.
Why 4-Acetylanisole Continues to Matter in Industrial Chemistry
4-Acetylanisole is far more than a line item in a chemical catalogue. Its useful physical and chemical properties, proven role as a synthesis intermediate, and strong fit across UV absorber chemistry, pharma, fragrance, and specialty industrial applications make it a compound that manufacturers return to again and again, alongside related compounds like 4-t-Amylphenol.
For companies looking for a dependable supply partner for this material, Vinati Organics brings decades of experience to the table. Operating since 1989 and serving customers across 35+ countries, Vinati Organics is a specialty chemical manufacturer with broad industrial supply capability, supporting requirements related to 4-Acetylanisole with solution-oriented support for commercial use. For businesses looking for dependable sourcing support for 4-MAP, connect with Vinati Organics for technical details, pricing, and bulk supply enquiries.
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