reductone

noun

re·​duc·​tone

-kˌtōn

plural -s

: any of a class of reducing enediol aldehydes or ketones RC(OH)=C(OH)COR

especially : a crystalline osone HOCH₂COCHO or a tautomer [as HOCH=C(OH)CHO] that is a strong reducing agent in alkaline solution and is obtained from glucose by alkaline degradation or from dihydroxy-acetone by oxidation; hydroxy-pyruvaldehyde

ascorbic acids … may be considered as reductones

—W. W. Pigman & R. M. Goepp †1946

Word History

Etymology

reduction + -one

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