Chemical Properties
Colorless gas; disagreeable odor. Readily polymerizes; cannot be shipped or stored in a
gaseous state.
Uses
Acetylating agent, generally reacting with compounds having an active hydrogen atom; reacts with
ammonia to give acetamide. Starting point for making various commercially important products, especially acetic anhydride and acetate esters.
Definition
A member of a
group of organic compounds, general formula
R
2C:CO, where R is hydrogen or an
organic radical. The simplest member is
the colorless gas ketene, CH
2:CO; the
other ketenes are colored because of the
presence of the double bonds. Ketenes are
unstable and react with other unsaturated
compounds to give cyclic compounds.
Hazard
Toxic by inhalation, strong irritant to skin
and mucous membranes.
