1. Plural of butanone; organic compounds with the formula C₄H₈O, containing a ketone functional group; used as solvents and in chemical synthesis.
Usage: chemistry; technical term; also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in singular form

Examples

• Butanones are commonly used as industrial solvents in manufacturing.
• The laboratory technician handled butanones with proper safety equipment.
• Butanones evaporate quickly at room temperature.
• These butanones are essential in the production of certain plastics and resins.
• The chemical analysis identified butanones as the primary volatile organic compounds in the sample.