lactone

[ lak-tohn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of a group of internal esters derived from hydroxy acids.

lactone

/ ˈlæktəʊn; lækˈtɒnɪk /

noun

1. any of a class of organic compounds formed from hydroxy acids and containing the group -C(CO)OC-, where the carbon atoms are part of a ring

lactone

/ lăk′tōn′ /

1. Any of various organic esters derived from organic acids by removal of water. Lactones are formed when the carboxyl (COOH) group of the acid reacts with a hydroxyl (OH) group in the same acid, releasing water and causing the carbon atom to join to the hydroxyl's remaining oxygen atom, forming a ring. Vitamin C, the antibiotic erythromycin, and many commercially important substances are lactones.

Derived Forms

• lactonic, adjective

Other Words From

• lac·ton·ic [lak-, ton, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lactone¹

First recorded in 1840–50; lact- + -one

Example Sentences

Another of these substances is ellagic acid C14H6O8, a double lactone of a hexa-hydroxy-diphenyldicarboxylic acid.

From Project Gutenberg