Ketones

Ketones are part of a group of compounds known as carbonyls since they contain C=O bonds.
In ketones, the C=O bond is located at any position along a carbon chain except at the end
of the chain. The simplest ketone is propanone. They are named using the suffix -one.

Functional Group General Formula

CnH2nO
(This general formula can also apply to aldehydes.)

propanone butanone pentan-2-one

Chemical Properties
The use of Fehling’s solution and Tollens’ reagent with ketones produces no change since
ketones cannot be oxidised.
Ketones can be attacked by nucleophiles due to the high electron density around the C=O bond.

Reactions of ketones include:

• Nucleophilic Addition
• with NaBH4 solution to form secondary alcohols.
This is a reduction reaction. NaBH4 is an example of a reducing agent and can be
represented as [H].
ketone + [H] → secondary alcohol

• with KCN, followed by dilute acid to form hydroxynitriles.

If the ketone is asymmetrical, a mixture of enantiomers is formed. This is because
the C=O bond is planar, and the nucleophile can therefore approach from either
above or below the plane of the bond.
H+
ketone + KCN hydroxynitrile + K+

Other Information
• Potassium cyanide (KCN) is highly toxic and any reactions involving this substance
should be carried out in a fume cupboard.