Butanone and 2-butanone actually refer to the same compound, as 2-butanone is one of the common names for butanone. However, to clarify any confusion, let’s discuss what butanone is and how it can sometimes be referred to differently.
Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is a simple ketone with a four-carbon structure. The ‘2-‘ in 2-butanone indicates the position of the carbonyl group (C=O) on the second carbon of the butane chain. This specificity becomes important when discussing the structural details of the compound.
In essence, there is no difference between butanone and 2-butanone—the terms are often used interchangeably in chemistry. However, it’s important to note that butanone can sometimes be found as a broader term that might include other isomers if contextually fit, but 2-butanone is the specific compound and isomer in focus when referring to butanone within the context of organic chemistry.