rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryketoneCarbonyl compound
noun

ketone

KEE-tohn/kˈitoʊn/

An organic compound with a carbonyl group bonded to two carbon groups.

Acetone is a simple ketone commonly used as a solvent.

Clean chemical structural illustration: central carbon atom bonded double to oxygen above and single to two carbon groups left and right, exact essential formula CH₃—C(=O)—CH₃ drawn as proper skeletal layout.
Etymology
ketoneGermanacetone

The name was apparently adapted from Aketon, “acetone,” to distinguish the chemical group. A name for one substance thus supplied the label for a broader class of compounds.

In context

CrashCourse1:14
when the carbonyl carbon is attached to two carbon groups, it's a ketone.
An Overview of Aldehydes and Ketones: Crash Course Organic Chemistry #27

More examples

  • The chemist identifies the unknown compound as a ketone.
  • Many ketones dissolve substances that do not dissolve in water.
  • Oxidizing a secondary alcohol produces a ketone.

Forms

ketone · ketones

ketonic adjective — Relating to or characteristic of ketones.