Ketones

Ketones are well-known organic compounds that are very similar to aldehydes. Their structure is R’COR, in which R and R ‘are alkyl groups, and CO is known as the carbonyl functional group. Ketones are oxygen-containing compounds that are separated from alcohols and ethers by double bonding and are separated from esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and amides by carbon, which binds to the two alkyl groups.

The difference between ketones and aldehydes is that the carbon in which they are attached to the other two carbons in aldehydes is attached to at least one hydrogen. They are very valuable compounds that are widely used as solvents or raw materials in industry, as well as the ketones in nature have a pleasant smell and some ingredients are composed of these ketones. For example, the hormone testosterone in the human body, which has pharmacological and biological effects, belongs to the same category of compounds.

Camphor is a type of ketone, and methyl cyclopenta decano, or the Musk of the deer, which is derived from the glands of a type of deer, is one of these compounds. Famous and well-known ketones such as acetone, butanone and acetyl acetone are also widely used in everyday life and industry.

Their main use in industry is as a solvent and reaction raw material. This application is very significant in the paint industry. A type of this substance called bicillin is used to prepare and flavor artificial butter margarine.

The source of this article is the Persian section of the site, which you can read if you are fluent in Persian: کتون ها