A 1H and 13C NMR and UV study of the state of hydroxyacetone in aqueous solutions

The state of hydroxyacetone in neutral aqueous solutions was studied by 1H and 13C NMR and UV spectroscopy. In the concentration range 0.1-1.41 M, 96-98% of hydroxyacetone exists in the carbonyl form. The content of the hydrated form of hydroxyacetone is 2-4%. No dimeric and polymeric species were detected.