A ketene is an organic compound of the form R′R″C=C=O, where R and R' are two arbitrary monovalent chemical groups. The name may also refer to the specific compound ethenone H 2C=C=O, the simplest ketene. Although they are highly useful, most ketenes are unstable.

Why is ketene called ketene?

The name suggests that ketenes are unsaturated ketones, but their chemistry resembles that of carboxylic acid anhydrides. Ketene is prepared by heating acetic acid or acetone to about 700 °C (1,300 °F). ... The only important industrial use of ketene itself is its reaction with acetic acid to form acetic anhydride.

What is ketene give example?

A specific example is the dimerization of the ketene of stearic acid to afford alkyl ketene dimers, which are widely used in the paper industry. ... As examples, a water molecule easily adds to ketene to give 1,1-dihydroxyethene and acetic anhydride is produced by the reaction of acetic acid with ketene.