acetoacetic acid

[uh-see-toh-uh-see-tik, -uh-set-ik, as-i-toh-]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, oily liquid, C 4 H 6 O 3 , soluble in water, alcohol, and ether: used in synthetic organic chemistry.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetoacetic acid¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; aceto- + acetic

Example Sentences

During fasting, and in people with diabetes, the liver metabolizes fatty acids into ketone bodies called β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetic acid and acetone that are used as an energy source when glucose levels are low.

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