Metyyliketonia

Metyyliketonia, also known as acetone, is an organic compound with the formula (CH₃)₂CO. It is the simplest ketone. Acetone is a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid with a distinctive pungent odor. It is miscible with water and most organic solvents, making it a useful solvent.

Industrially, acetone is produced primarily by the cumene process, which also yields phenol. It is widely used as a solvent for paints, varnishes, lacquers, and plastics. It is also a precursor to many other chemicals, including methyl methacrylate (MMA), used in acrylic plastics, and bisphenol A (BPA), used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Acetone is also found naturally in plants and is produced in the human body as a byproduct of fat metabolism.

In medicine, acetone is used as a solvent for medical equipment and in topical antiseptic preparations. It can also be detected in the breath of individuals with uncontrolled diabetes due to the presence of ketone bodies. While generally considered safe in low concentrations, high levels of acetone vapor can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, and prolonged exposure can lead to central nervous system depression.