In
organic chemistry a
hydroxy ketone (often referred to simply as a
ketol) is a
functional group consisting of a
ketone flanked by a
hydroxyl group. In the two main classes, the hydroxyl group can be placed in the
alpha position (an alpha-hydroxy ketone RCR'(OH)(CO)R) or in the beta position (a beta-hydroxy ketone, RCR'(OH)CR
2(CO)R).