Question

Which of the following compounds is a ketone?

a) CH₃CH₂COOH
b) CH₃CH₂CHO
c) CH₃CH₂CH₂OH
d) CH₃COCH₃

Answer 1

The compound d) CH3COCH3 is a ketone because it has a carbonyl group (C=O) located between two alkyl groups, which is the defining characteristic of ketones.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks which of the given compounds is a ketone. Examining the given options:

• a) CH3CH2COOH has a carbonyl group (C=O) at the end of the carbon chain, which makes it an aldehyde.
• b) CH3CH2CHO also has a carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain, classifying it as an aldehyde.
• c) CH3CH2CH2OH contains an OH group bonded to a carbon atom that is not at the end of the carbon chain, making it an alcohol.
• d) CH3COCH3 has a carbonyl group located between two carbon groups, which is the defining characteristic of a ketone, so this is the correct answer.

Therefore, d) CH3COCH3 is the compound that is a ketone.