Definition of Ketones



Ketone is one of the classes of organic compounds and it is a functional group that is characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group. On either side of the carbonyl group, the alkyl groups are being attached. The alkyl group can be the same or different from each other. The general formula of the ketones is RCOR’. They along with the aldehydes are known to be the carbonyl compounds.

 


The difference between the aldehydes and ketones is that the aldehydes have only one alkyl group but ketones have two, one on each side. The ketones are very significant due to their physiological properties. They are known to be found in a number of sugars and in steroid hormones. Moreover, ketones are used in the manufacturing of paints, lacquers, solvents, explosives, etc.

 

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