What functional group is found in acetone?

Acetone, a commonly used solvent and chemical intermediate, contains a ketone functional group, which is characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) situated between two carbon atoms. In acetone, this structure is represented as CH3-CO-CH3. The carbonyl carbon is bonded to two methyl groups (CH3), which is a defining feature of ketones.

Ketones differ from aldehydes, which have the carbonyl group located at the end of the carbon chain. Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon, while carboxylic acids have a carbonyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group (-COOH). Thus, the presence of a carbonyl group flanked by carbon atoms is the hallmark of acetone, confirming that the correct classification of acetone is as a ketone. Understanding these functional groups is essential in organic chemistry, as they dictate the chemical reactivity and properties of the compounds.