Acetone- How Acetone Is Produced. See last paragraph for bacterial fermentation.

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Acetone is produced directly or indirectly from propylene. Approximately 83 % of

acetone is produced via the cumene process,[3] as a result, acetone production

is tied to phenol production. In the cumene process, benzene is alkylated with

propylene and the resulting cumene (isopropylbenzene) is oxidized by air to give

phenol and acetone:

Other processes involve the direct oxidation of propylene (Wacker-Hoechst

process), or the hydration of propylene to give 2-propanol, which is oxidized to

acetone.[3]

[edit]Older production methods

Previously, acetone was produced by the dry distillation of acetates, for

example calcium acetate. During World War I acetone was produced via bacterial

fermentation, as developed by Chaim Weizmann (later the first president of

Israel) in order to help the British war effort.[3] This Acetone Butanol Ethanol

process was abandoned due to the small yields.[3]