Definition: Acetone (A) is a chemical compound that contains carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen atoms. It is often found in nature as an irritant and carcinogen due to its ability to decompose into volatile organic compounds, such as acetaldehyde and butyryl alcohol, which are harmful for the environment. The word "acetoin" is derived from the Latin term acetone and means "acid", as it contains carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen gas (H2).