KETONES  , in

chemistry, organic compounds of the type R • CO • R', where R, R' = alkyl or aryl groups . If the groups, R and R' are identical, the ketone is called a simple ketone, if unlike, a mixed ketone . They may be prepared by the oxidation of secondary alcohols; by the addition of the elements of water to hydrocarbons of the acetylene type RC CH ; by oxidation of primary alcohols of the type RR'•CH•CH2OH:RR'•CH•CH2OH -~ R•CO•R'+H2O+H2CO2; by distillation of the calcium salts of the fatty acids, CnH23102; by heating the sodium salts of these acids C.H2n02 with the corresponding acid anhydride to 19o° C . (W . H . Perkin, Jour . Chem . Soc., 1886, 49, p . 322); by the action of anhydrous ferric Chloride on acid chlorides (J . Hamonet, Bull. de la soc . chim., 1888, 50, p . 357), 2C2HSO001 C2H6• CO .