Acetoin Acetoin is an organic substance with the chemical formula CH 3 CH(OH)COCH 3 . It is easily soluble in water, soluble in ethanol and propylene glycol, slightly soluble in ether, and almost insoluble in vegetable oil. Chemical name: 3-hydroxy- 2-Butanone , also known as 3-hydroxybutanone or methyl acetyl carbinol, is an important food spice ....