Michler's Ketone

di-p-dimethylaminobenzophenone; silvery-green crystals. Melting point, 179°C. Virtually insoluble in water, ether, and alcohol but dissolves in pyridine and warm benzene. Michler’s ketone (III) is prepared commercially by treating dimethylaniline (II) with phosgene (I):

Michler’s ketone is a valuable intermediate product in the manufacture of triarylmethane dyes. It was discovered in 1876 by the German chemist W. Michler.