What is "butanone"

n. (context organic compound English) A simple aliphatic ketone, CH₃CH₂COCH₃, prepared industrially as a solvent, for use in the manufacture of paints etc.

n. colorless soluble flammable liquid ketone used as a solvent for resins and as a paint remover and in lacquers and cements and adhesives and cleaning fluids and celluloid [syn: methyl ethyl ketone]

Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is an organic compound with the formula CHC(O)CHCH. This colorless liquid ketone has a sharp, sweet odor reminiscent of butterscotch and acetone. It is produced industrially on a large scale, and also occurs in trace amounts in nature. It is soluble in water and is commonly used as an industrial solvent.

This page provides supplementary chemical data on butanone.