Areductone is a special class oforganic compounds. They areenediols with a carbonyl group adjacent to the enediol group, i.e. RC(OH)=C(OH)-C(O)R. The enediol structure is stabilized by theresonance resulting from the tautomerism with the adjacent carbonyl. Therefore, thechemical equilibrium produces mainly the enediol form rather than the keto form.[1]
Reductones arereducing agents, thus efficaciousantioxidants. Some are fairly strong acids.[2]Examples of reductones are tartronaldehyde, reductic acid and ascorbic acid.
| Examples of reductones | ||
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Tartronaldehyde | Reductic acid | Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) |