Phenylacetylcarbinol


Phenylacetylcarbinol is an organic compound that has two enantiomers, one with and one with S-configuration. -PAC, which is commonly called -PAC, is known as a precursor in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Nomenclature

-PAC or --phenylacetylcarbinol is identical to -PAC, referring to the outdated. -PAC is the levo-rotating isomer of phenylacetylcarbinol.
The IUPAC name of phenylacetylcarbinol is 1-hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-one. Synonyms are 1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-propanone and 1-Hydroxy-1-phenylacetone.

Production

-PAC is widely synthesized by fermentation of benzaldehyde and dextrose. In this process, colonies of yeast are cultivated and added to a broth of water, dextrose, and the enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase in a vat. The yeast is left to grow for a period of time, after which the benzaldehyde is introduced into the broth. The yeast then ferments the benzaldehyde into -PAC. Boiling point at 12mmHg is 124-125C.
The majority of L-PAC is generated in pharmaceutical plants in India, as an intermediate precursor in the production of pseudoephedrine.
There are also biochemical reactions where enzymes such as acetohydroxyacid synthase I from E. coli condense pyruvate and benzaldehyde into R-PAC. Such methods have much higher conversion rates in comparison to the conventional yeast fermentation.