quinone

[ kwi-nohn, kwin-ohn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a yellow, crystalline, cyclic unsaturated diketone, C 6 H 4 O 2 , formed by oxidizing aniline or hydroquinone: used chiefly in photography and in tanning leather.
2. any of a class of compounds of this type.

quinone

/ ˈkwɪnəʊn; kwɪˈnəʊn /

noun

1. another name for benzoquinone

quinone

/ kwĭ-nōn′,kwĭn′ōn′ /

1. Any of a class of organic compounds that occur naturally as pigments in bacteria, plants, and certain fungi. Quinones have two carbonyl groups (CO) in an unsaturated six-member carbon ring.
2. A yellow crystalline compound belonging to this class, used in photography, to make dyes and to tan hides. Chemical formula: C 6 H 4 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of quinone¹

First recorded in 1850–55; quin(ic acid) + -one

Example Sentences

The gradation of color is quite pronounced in the case of selenonaphthene quinone.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus there is quinone itself, or benzoquinone, which is benzene with two atoms of oxygen replacing two atoms of hydrogen.

From Project Gutenberg

Phenanthrene forms a quinone which has been utilized as a source of colouring-matters, but these are comparatively unimportant.

From Project Gutenberg

The compound is readily prepared by the action of sulphurous acid or any other reducing agent on the quinone.

From Project Gutenberg

The so-called chrysophanic acid found in Xanthoria (Physcia) parietina is not an acid but a quinone and is better termed physcion.

From Project Gutenberg