Ketones

What are ketones?

A compound with a carbonyl group (O=C) linked to two other carbon atoms in the chemical compound. The C=O is found somewhere in the middle of the chain (not the end). Three carbons are needed to form a ketone.

Nomenclature-

changing the suffix -e of the parent alkane to -one

Propanone is normally written CH₃COCH₃. Notice the need for numbering in the longer ketones. In pentanone, the carbonyl group could be in the middle of the chain or next to the end - giving either pentan-3-one (3-pentanone) or pentan-2-one (2-pentanone).

Examples- to see the names highlight name to left of structure

Name	Structure
propanone	CH₃COCH₃
butanone	CH₃COCH₂CH₃
2-pentanone	CH₃COCH₂CH₂CH₃
3-pentanone	CH₃CH₂COCH₂CH₃
2-hexanone	CH₃COCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃

Synthesis

Ketones can be created by oxidation of secondary alcohols. The process requires a strong oxidizing agent.

H₃C-CH(OH)-CH₃ + ox. agent→ H₃C-CO-CH₃