In organic chemistry, a triketone or trione is an organic compound containing three ketone (>C=O) groups. The simplest triketones, such as cyclopropanetrione and 2,3,4-pentanetrione, are only of occasional theoretical interest. More pertinent are triacetylmethane and 2,4,6-heptanetrione. Both species exist predominantly in the enol (C=CH) forms.

Occurrence and significance

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Tri- and polyketones are of practical importance as intermediates in the biosynthesis of polyketides.[1] These natural products are a major source of antibiotics.

 
Biosynthesis of orsellinic acid from polyketide intermediate.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fischbach, Michael A.; Walsh, Christopher T. (2006). "Assembly-Line Enzymology for Polyketide and Nonribosomal Peptide Antibiotics: Logic, Machinery, and Mechanisms". Chemical Reviews. 106 (8): 3468–3496. doi:10.1021/cr0503097. PMID 16895337.
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