What is the general formula for a ketone?

The general formula for a ketone is represented as CnH2nO. In this formula, "n" represents the number of carbon atoms in the ketone molecule. Ketones are characterized by having a carbonyl group (C=O) located between carbon atoms, which distinguishes them from other classes of carbon-containing compounds. This formula indicates that for every "n" carbon atoms, there will be twice as many hydrogen atoms minus any hydrogen that could be associated with the carbonyl group, maintaining the overall saturation of the molecule.

The presence of the carbonyl group contributes to the overall formula, emphasizing that ketones contain a specific functional group. Other structural types like aldehydes, alcohols, or carboxylic acids have different functionalities and thus different formulas. In ketones, since there are no hydrogen atoms attached directly to the carbonyl carbon, the general formula ensures that the relationship between carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen is consistent across various ketones.