lactone

[ lak-tohn ]
/ ˈlæk toʊn /

noun Chemistry.

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

Origin of lactone

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

OTHER WORDS FROM lactone

lac·ton·ic [lak-ton-ik] /lækˈtɒn ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby lactone

lactogenesis, lactogenic, lactogenic hormone, lactoglobulin, lactometer, lactone, lactonize, lactoprotein, lactorrhea, lactoscope, lactose

British Dictionary definitions for lactone

lactone
/ (ˈlæktəʊn) /

noun

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

Derived forms of lactone

lactonic (lækˈtɒnɪk), adjective

Medical definitions for lactone

lactone
[ lăk′tōn′ ]

n.

An anhydride formed by the removal of a water molecule from the hydroxyl and carboxyl radicals of hydroxy acids.

Other words from lactone

lac•ton′ic (-tŏn′ĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for lactone

lactone
[ lăk′tōn′ ]

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.