Methylation of acetoin with dimethyl carbonate was performed in a sustainable one-step process, with improved process mass intensity (PMI) and atom economy compared to previously published methods. The resulting product, 3-methoxybutan-2-one (MO) was successfully evaluated as a bio-based solvent, while both Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic parameters and Hansen solubility parameters demonstrate its potential viability in the substitution of chlorinated solvents. MO exhibited a low peroxide forming potential and a negative Ames mutagenicity test and was successfully used as a solvent in a Friedel–Crafts acylation (79% yield compared to 77% in dichloromethane) and for N-alkylations. MO is a renewable oxygenated solvent, with the potential ability to substitute carcinogenic halogenated solvents in some applications.

中文翻译：

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3-Methoxybutan-2-one 作为氯化溶剂的可持续生物基替代品

乙偶姻与碳酸二甲酯的甲基化是在可持续的一步工艺中进行的，与以前公布的方法相比，工艺质量强度 (PMI) 和原子经济性有所提高。所得产品 3-methoxybutan-2-one (MO) 被成功评估为生物基溶剂，而 Kamlet-Taft 溶剂致变色参数和 Hansen 溶解度参数均证明了其在替代氯化溶剂方面的潜在可行性。MO 表现出较低的过氧化物形成潜力和负的 Ames 致突变性测试，并成功地用作 Friedel-Crafts 酰化（产率为 79%，而二氯甲烷为 77%）和N-烷基化的溶剂。MO 是一种可再生的含氧溶剂，在某些应用中具有替代致癌卤代溶剂的潜力。