Ketonföreningar

Ketonföreningar, often referred to as ketones, are a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two other carbon atoms. The general formula for a ketone is R-CO-R', where R and R' represent alkyl or aryl groups. The carbonyl group is a polar functional group due to the electronegativity difference between oxygen and carbon, which influences the chemical and physical properties of ketones.

Ketones are found in various natural and synthetic contexts. Acetone (CH3COCH3) is a common example, widely used as a solvent. Other biologically relevant ketones include acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, which are key components of ketone bodies, an alternative fuel source for the brain during periods of low glucose availability. In industry, ketones serve as solvents, intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and polymers.

The chemical reactivity of ketones centers around the carbonyl group. They can undergo nucleophilic addition reactions, where a nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon of the carbonyl. This is a fundamental reaction used in the synthesis of alcohols, amines, and other functional groups. Ketones can also be reduced to secondary alcohols. Their relative stability compared to aldehydes makes them less prone to oxidation. The naming of ketones typically involves replacing the "-e" suffix of the parent alkane with "-one," with the position of the carbonyl group indicated by a number when necessary.