ketene

American  

[kee-teen] / ˈki tin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, poisonous gas, C 2 H 2 O, irritating to the lungs, prepared from acetone or acetic acid by pyrolysis: used chiefly in the manufacture of certain commercial chemicals, as acetic anhydride and aspirin.

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ketene British  

/ ˈkiːtiːn, ˈkɛt- /

noun

1. Also called: ethonone.  a colourless irritating toxic gas used as an acetylating agent in organic synthesis. Formula: CH 2 :CO

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Etymology

Origin of ketene

First recorded in 1905–10; ket- + -ene

Example Sentences

Although ketene is known to be toxic, it is so dangerous that it is difficult to directly study its effect on the human body.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2022

They discovered that ketene is formed at lower temperature settings than previously believed — and that it accumulated at levels dangerous to individual health.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2022