Ketoksimien

Ketoksimien is a Finnish term referring to oximes derived from ketones. Oximes are organic compounds with the general formula R1R2C=NOH, where R1 and R2 are organic groups and the carbon-nitrogen double bond is attached to a hydroxyl group. In the case of ketoximes, at least one of the R groups attached to the carbon atom is an alkyl or aryl group, distinguishing them from aldoximes where one R group is hydrogen.

Ketoximes are typically formed through the reaction of a ketone with hydroxylamine. This reaction involves nucleophilic addition of hydroxylamine to the carbonyl carbon of the ketone, followed by dehydration. The resulting C=N bond can exhibit geometric isomerism (syn and anti isomers) due to restricted rotation around the double bond, similar to alkenes.

These compounds have found various applications in organic chemistry. They can serve as intermediates in the synthesis of other organic molecules, such as amines via reduction or amides via Beckmann rearrangement. The Beckmann rearrangement, a well-known reaction in organic chemistry, transforms ketoximes into N-substituted amides under acidic conditions. Ketoximes can also be used as protecting groups for carbonyl functionalities. Furthermore, certain ketoximes possess biological activity and are explored for their potential pharmacological properties.