Today we use systematic names when referring to organic molecules. Many of these molecules also have ‘traditional’ names that have been in widespread use for many years. For example, propanone, which has the formula C3H6O, used to be called ‘acetone’ (Figure 1). This name is still used in many places, such as on the ingredient lists of everyday products like polishes and cleaning agents.
Acetone got its name because it was first made by heating the solid acetates of some metals, like calcium, which is heated to at least 350°C:
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