ketone

ketone

ketone (kēˈtōn), any of a class of organic compounds that contain the carbonyl group, C=O, and in which the carbonyl group is bonded only to carbon atoms. The general formula for a ketone is RCOR′, where R and R′ are alkyl or aryl groups. The simplest ketone, where R and R′ are methyl groups, is acetone; this is one of the most important ketones used in industry. Low-molecular-weight ketones are used chiefly as solvents. Ketones may be prepared by several methods, including the oxidation of secondary alcohols and the destructive distillation of certain salts of organic acids. Ketones are related to the aldehydes but are less active chemically.

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ketone

[′kē‚tōn]

(organic chemistry)

One of a class of chemical compounds of the general formula RR′CO, where R and R′ are alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic radicals; the groups R and R′ may be the same or different, or incorporated into a ring; the ketones, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone are used as solvents, and ketones in general are important intermediates in the synthesis of organic compounds.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ketone

any of a class of compounds with the general formula RʹCOR, where R and Rʹ are alkyl or aryl groups

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005