4′-Methylpropiophenone is a chemical reagent with aromatic ketones. Aromatic ketones are phenylacetone with a methyl group on C-4. It is used as an intermediate of medicine and synthetic raw materials, and also for electro carboxylation reaction.
It is reported that 4′-methylpropiophenone can be used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, such as topidone and other muscle relaxants. The substance is also the starting material for the synthesis of 4-methylmethcathinone (Mephedrone). Mephedrone is considered a “legal drug” and is disguised as cocaine (in powder form), MDMA (in tablet form) and adulterants in the illicit drug market. According to the European drug market report 2016 released by the European Monitoring Center for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA), Mephedrone created specific demand and occupied its own unique market share.