Structure formula of a ketene. Molecular model of ethenone chain linkage.
A ketene is a highly reactive functional group or dust class in organic chemistry, with the general formula R2C = C = O. Hermann Staudinger was a pioneer in chains. Chains are synthesized by eliminating an HCl molecule of an acid chloride (by a non-nucleophilic base):
The simplest ketene, ethenone (CH2 = C = O), is also called ketene. Applications
Chains are a synthetically important intermediary for the production of antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin.
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