Ketone Definition

What Is a Ketone in Chemistry?

This is the chemical structure of the ketone acetone.
This is the chemical structure of the ketone acetone. Todd Helmenstine
by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated March 08, 2017

Ketone Definition

A ketone is a compound containing a carbonyl functional group bridging two groups of atoms.

The general formula for a ketone is RC(=O)R' where R and R' are alkyl or aryl groups.

IUPAC ketone functional group names contain "oxo" or "keto". Ketones are named by changing the -e on the end of the parent alkane name to -one.

Examples: Acetone is a ketone. The carbonyl group is connected to the alkane propane, therefore the IUPAC name for acetone would be propanone.