Question

How is iodoform prepared from acetone?

How is iodoform prepared from propanone?

Answer 1

Acetone (also called propanone) undergoes the iodoform reaction and iodoform is prepared from acetone by a chemical reaction known as the iodoform reaction. This is a type of haloform reaction where a compound containing a methyl ketone group reacts with iodine in the presence of a base (like sodium hydroxide). The triiodo compound undergoes cleavage in alkaline medium. It produces iodoform (CHI₃), which precipitates as a yellow solid, and sodium acetate (CH₃COONa).

\[\ce{\underset{acetone}{CH3COCH3} + 3I2 + 4NaOH -> \underset{iodoform}{CHI3} + CH3COONa + 3NaI + 3H2O}\]