What causes ketones?

1 Answer
MeneerNask
Jan 31, 2017

Ketones are the result of oxidation of secundary alcohols.

Explanation:

A secundary alcohol is an alcohol where two other C-atoms are attached to the one having the alcohol (OH) group, like in 2-propanol CH_3-CHOH-CH_3CH3−CHOH−CH3

When oxidized, the H from the carbon-atom and the H from the OH group combine with O to form water, and the O on the carbon is now double-bonded:
propanon CH_3-CO-CH_3CH3−CO−CH3

This compound cannot be easily oxidized any further.

Related questions
See all questions in Quick Introduction of Structures
Impact of this question
1509 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License