Question

A compound used as pistachio flavor in ice cream is _____.

Answer 1

Hint: The compound used is a type of aromatic compound or aromatic ketone. It is widely used in many ingredients in food and it imparts fragrance in cherry, strawberry almonds etc.

Complete step by step solution:
We should know that the flavoring agents are used in food to impart taste or aroma. There are chemical flavors that imitate the natural flavors. They are generally used as an additive to enhance the aroma which is generally lost during the process of food processing and also to modify the taste.
The compound that is used in pistachio flavor in ice cream is Acetophenone. It is an organic compound and the simplest aromatic ketone. Its structure is mentioned below:

These aromatic compounds contain a ketone substituted by one alkyl group and a phenyl group. Acetophenone appears as a colorless liquid having a sweet pungent taste and odor resembling the odor of the oranges.
Acetophenone has higher density than water which means that it sinks in water. It freezes under the cool conditions. It is vapor heavier than air. It is a mild irritant to skin and eyes. Acetophenone is a sweet, almond and acacia tasting compound that can be found in a number of food items.

Note: Acetophenone can be recovered as a product of the oxidation of the ethyl benzene to the ethylbenzene hydroperoxide. Acetophenone can not be confused with benzophenone. It can be distinguished by the iodoform test since the compound benzophenone does not contain any free methyl groups hence it will give a negative iodoform test.