Triketone

In organic chemistry, a triketone or trione is an organic compound containing three ketone (>C=O) groups. The simplest triketones, such as cyclopropanetrione and 2,3,4-pentanetrione, are only of occasional theoretical interest. More pertinent are triacetylmethane and 2,4,6-heptanetrione. Both species exist predominantly in the enol (C=CH) forms.

• 
  Croconic acid
• 
  Triacetylmethane
• 
  2,4,6-Heptanetrione

Occurrence and significance

Tri- and polyketones are of practical importance as intermediates in the biosynthesis of polyketides.^[1] These natural products are a major source of antibiotics.

Biosynthesis of orsellinic acid from polyketide intermediate.

See also

• Diketone