ketene

(tēn′)

noun

  1. a colorless, toxic gas, HC∶CO, with a penetrating odor, made by passing acetone or acetic acid through hot metal tubes: used esp. as an acetylating agent
  2. any of a series of related organic compounds containing the C∶CO group

Origin: ket(o)- + -ene

See ketene in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A pungent, toxic, colorless gas, C2H2O, used chiefly as an acetylation agent.

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