2914.40 - Ketone-alcohols and ketone-aldehydes:

This HTS category, 2914.40, encompasses ketone-alcohols and ketone-aldehydes. These are organic compounds that possess both a ketone functional group (a carbonyl group bonded to two carbon atoms) and an alcohol functional group (a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom) or an aldehyde functional group (a carbonyl group bonded to a hydrogen atom and a carbon atom). The presence of both functional groups within the same molecule is the defining characteristic for classification under this heading.

This category is distinct from its sibling categories primarily by the combination of functional groups. For instance, sibling categories such as "Acyclic ketones without other oxygen function" or "Aromatic ketones without other oxygen function" specifically cover ketones that *lack* an alcohol or aldehyde group. Similarly, "Ketone-phenols and ketones with other oxygen function" (2914.50) covers ketones that are either phenolic (attached to a phenyl group) or contain oxygen functional groups other than alcohol or aldehyde. The defining feature here is the specific presence of both ketone and alcohol/aldehyde functionalities.

The subcategories under 2914.40 serve to further refine the classification based on specific chemical entities or broader groupings. The existence of a specific entry, such as 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one (Diacetone alcohol), indicates that certain commonly traded or particularly relevant compounds within this broader definition may warrant a dedicated sub-heading for detailed statistical tracking or specific tariff treatment. The subsequent "Other" subcategory is a catch-all for all remaining ketone-alcohols and ketone-aldehydes that do not have their own specific sub-heading, ensuring comprehensive coverage within this classification.