Aldehyde vs. Ketones Terminal group
Formaldehyde
Aldehydes and ketones are two classes of organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (-CO-) in their structure. The carbonyl group comprises a carbon atom and an oxygen atom double-bonded to each other.
Aldehydes are a class of organic compounds that contain a terminal carbonyl group (-CHO) at the end of their carbon chain. The “al” in aldehydes comes from the word “alcohol” because aldehydes are formed when a primary alcohol is oxidized. For example, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzaldehyde are common aldehydes.
On the other hand, ketones are a class of organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (-CO-) in the middle of their carbon chain. Ketones are formed when a secondary alcohol is oxidized. For example, acetone and propanone are common ketones.
Therefore, the main difference between aldehydes and ketones is the presence of the carbonyl group in their structure. In aldehydes, the carbonyl group is present at the end of the carbon chain, while in ketones, it is present in the middle of the carbon chain. This structural difference contributes to the different physical and chemical properties of these two classes of organic compounds.
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