Differences and Chemical Properties of Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehyde vs. Ketones Terminal group

Formaldehyde

Aldehydes and ketones are two classes of organic compounds that contain the carbonyl functional group (-C=O). However, the position of this functional group differs in these two classes of compounds, which leads to varying chemical properties and reactivities.

Aldehydes:

Aldehydes have the carbonyl group (-C=O) at the end of their carbon chain, thus making them known as terminal groups. The aldehyde functional group is characterized by a carbon atom with a double bond to oxygen and a single bond to a hydrogen atom (R-CHO). The carbonyl group in aldehydes is more polar than other functional groups, and this polarity makes them highly reactive in organic reactions. Aldehydes undergo oxidation reactions to form carboxylic acids.

Ketones:

Ketones have the carbonyl group (-C=O) in the middle of their carbon chain. Unlike aldehydes, ketones do not have a hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon. Ketones are generally less reactive than aldehydes because they lack the polar hydrogen attached to the carbonyl group. Ketones can undergo reactions like nucleophilic addition, and they can be oxidized to form carboxylic acids but do not undergo oxidation to aldehydes or primary alcohols.

In summary, the main difference between aldehydes and ketones is that aldehydes have the carbonyl group at the end of their carbon chain, while ketones have the carbonyl group in the middle of their carbon chain. This difference in structure leads to differences in the reactivity and chemical properties of these two classes of compounds.

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