Fluorenone is an organic compound with the chemical formula (C6H4)2CO, a ketone with fluorene moiety.
It is bright fluorescent yellow solid.
[2] It is synthesised by aerobic oxidation of fluorene:[2] Fluorenone sustains up to four nitro groups giving 2,4,5,7-tetranitrofluorenone.
[3] Several substituted fluorenones are biologically active as antibiotic, anticancer, antiviral, or neuromodulatory compounds.
[4] Some substituted azafluorenones are biologically active, such as the naturally occurring antimicrobial compound onychine (1-methyl-4-azafluorenone).