a colourless irritating toxic gas used as an acetylating agent in organic synthesis. Formula: CH2:CO
Also called: ethonone
ketene in American English
(ˈkiˌtin)
noun
1.
a colorless, toxic gas, H2C∶CO, with a penetrating odor, made by passing acetone or acetic acid through hot metal tubes: used esp. as an acetylating agent
2.
any of a series of related organic compounds containing the C∶CO group