Which of the following compounds is a ketone?

  • A. CH3CHO
  • B. CH3COCH3
  • C. CH3COOH
  • D. CH3CH2OH

Explanation

In propanone the carbonyl group lies between two carbon atoms, which is the defining feature of a ketone, while CH3CHO is the aldehyde ethanal with the carbonyl at the end of the chain. CH3COOH is a carboxylic acid, whose carbonyl carbon also carries a hydroxyl group, and CH3CH2OH is an alcohol. Reading which atoms flank the carbonyl carbon is the whole test.

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