Answer – Ketones are organic compounds with the formula RC(=O)R’ and a carbonyl functional group.

Explanation: 

Much like aldehydes, ketones (pronounced as key-tones) are a class of organic compounds containing a C=O (carbonyl) functional group. They have the formula R–CO–R’, where R and R’ represent alkyl or aryl groups. These compounds differ from aldehydes primarily in the position of the carbonyl group; in ketones, the carbonyl C is always a part of the carbon chain, while in aldehydes, it is the terminal carbon atom.

As per IUPAC rules, ketones are named by replacing the –ane suffix of their parent alkanes to –anone. The carbonyl group’s position is also often indicated by a number. However, some important ketones like acetone, whose IUPAC name is 2-propanone or propan-2-one, are usually referred to by their common names.

Other examples of these compounds include butanone, pentanone, benzophenone, and acetophenone. There are also several biological ketones such as ketoses and steroids like testosterone.

Ketones find several applications in everyday life. In industries, they are mainly used as solvents and for manufacturing paints, textiles, and explosives.

They are also of great biological significance, serving as an alternative body fuel when glucose is in short supply. But when these compounds accumulate in excess in blood and urine, they can be toxic and sometimes even fatal. High quantities of ketones in urine are often a sign of diabetes or another serious condition called ketoacidosis.

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