Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry
Lactone:
An
ester
contained within a ring. Shown below are sample lactones, with the lactone
moieties
in red.
Nepetalactone
The cat attractant/stimulant found in catnip.
Contains a six-membered lactone.
Xenical (orlistat)
A weight control
drug
.
Contains a four-membered lactone.
Related terms:
Lactam
,
lactose
,
lactate
,
heterocycle
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