Traveling across Life Sciences with Acetophenone-A Simple Ketone That Has Special Multipurpose Missions

Each metabolite, regardless of its molecular simplicity or complexity, has a mission or function in the organism biosynthesizing it. In this review, the biological, allelochemical, and chemical properties of acetophenone, as a metabolite involved in multiple interactions with various (mi-cro)organisms, are discussed. Further, the details of its biogenesis and chemical synthesis are provided, and the possibility of its application in different areas of life sciences, i.e., the status quo of acetophenone and its simple substituted analogs, is examined. In particular, natural and synthetic simple acetophenone derivatives are analyzed as promising agrochemicals and useful scaffolds for drug research and development.

Automated summary

Regardless of their complexity, all metabolites have specific missions or functions in the organisms that biosynthesize them. This review focuses on acetophenone as a metabolite involved in multiple interactions with various microorganisms. It discusses the biological, allelochemical, and chemical properties of acetophenone, along with its biogenesis, chemical synthesis, and potential applications in life sciences, such as agrochemicals and drug research.