Chem. [a. Ger. keton (pl. ketone), a modification of ACETONE, introduced by Gmelin, Handbuch d. Chem. (ed. 4, 1848) IV. 40, 187.] The name of a class of chemical compounds formed by oxidation of the secondary alcohols or carbinols, to which they stand in some respects in the relation of aldehydes. The lowest of the series, dimethyl ketone, is common ACETONE.
‘The ketones, in their simplest form, contain a carbonyl group CO attached to two monad hydrocarbon radicles. If the two radicles are identical as in acetone, the compound is a simple ketone; if different, as in methyl-ethyl-ketone CH3·CO·CH2·CH3, it is a mixed ketone. Compounds containing two carbonyl groups are termed diketones; those containing three triketones’ (Muir & Morley, Watts’ Dict. Chem., III. 102/2).
1851. Brazier & Gossleth, in Q. Jrnl. Chem. Soc., III. 215. A new class of bodies known under the name of acetones or ketones. Ibid. In preparing the ketone of caproic acid.
1852. Watts, trans. Gmelin’s Handbk. Chem., VII. 214. (heading) Acetones in general or Ketones. All ketones are highly combustible. Ibid. (1872), Dict. Chem., VI. 764. A peculiar penetrating smell, which deserves to be called the ketone-smell. Ibid. (1873), Fownes’ Chem. (ed. 11), 595. The formation of a ketone by oxidation is the essential characteristic of a secondary alcohol.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 200. Glucose (C6H12O6) now regarded as a ketone of a hexatomic alcohol.
Hence Ketonic a., of or pertaining to ketones, as in ketonic acid, a compound containing the radical carbonyl, CO, and having the characteristic properties of both a ketone and an acid. So Ketol, a ketonic alcohol; Ketose, a sugar which is a ketonic alcohol, e.g., lævulose, or fruit sugar.
1892. Morley & Muir, Watts Dict. Chem., III. 103/1. Certain ketonic acids part with carbon dioxide, forming ketones.
1899. M’Gowan, trans. Burnthsen’s Organ. Chem., 245. These alkylated aceto-acetic ethers … undergo either the ‘ketonic decomposition’ or the ‘acid decomposition.’
