In Organic Chemistry, a Ketone is a functional group characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two other carbon atoms. It is a very important topic in Class 10 (Carbon and its Compounds) and Class 11 Chemistry.
Functional Group: -C(=O)- (Carbonyl group in the middle of a chain).
General Formula: CₙH₂ₙO (where n ≥ 3).
Smallest Ketone: Propanone (Acetone).
Difference from Aldehyde: Aldehydes have the C=O at the END of the chain; Ketones have it in the MIDDLE.
The general structural formula for a ketone is: R - C(=O) - R'
Where:
Note: In a ketone, the C=O group can NEVER be at the end of the chain (if it is at the end, it becomes an Aldehyde).
For open-chain, saturated ketones, the general molecular formula is: CₙH₂ₙO (Where n must be greater than or equal to 3).
Because a ketone needs at least two alkyl groups surrounding the C=O group, the smallest possible ketone must have 3 carbon atoms.
The general structural formula is R-CO-R', and the general molecular formula is CnH2nO (where n is 3 or more).
The simplest ketone is Propanone (commonly known as Acetone) with the formula CH3COCH3.
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