How can you recognize an aldehyde?

Its carbonyl carbon is bonded to at least one hydrogen; the group is commonly represented as $\mathrm{-CHO}$.

How can you recognize a ketone?

Its carbonyl carbon is bonded to two carbon atoms; it is commonly represented as $\mathrm{-C(O)-}$ or $\mathrm{-CO-}$.

What are the naming suffixes for aldehydes and ketones?

Aldehydes use **-al**, while ketones use **-one**.

How is oxidation of a carbon atom described using its bonds?

Oxidation replaces a carbon–hydrogen bond with a carbon–oxygen bond.

How do the functional groups of carboxylic acids and esters differ?

A carboxylic acid has a $\mathrm{-COOH}$ group; an ester has a carbonyl-linked oxygen bonded to another carbon group.

Organic chemistryLesson 3 of 4 in the course Organic Chemistry

Carbonyl Compounds, Alcohol Oxidation, Carboxylic Acids, and Esters

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces the carbonyl group and the two major compound families that contain it: aldehydes and ketones. Recognizing how the carbonyl carbon is bonded helps you identify these compounds and understand their characteristic structure and reactivity.

A carbonyl group contains a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, written $\mathrm{C=O}$ . The carbonyl carbon is trigonal planar and $sp^2$ hybridized. Its three regions of electron density lie approximately in one plane.

All flashcards

How can you recognize an aldehyde?: Its carbonyl carbon is bonded to at least one hydrogen; the group is commonly represented as $\mathrm{-CHO}$ .
How can you recognize a ketone?: Its carbonyl carbon is bonded to two carbon atoms; it is commonly represented as $\mathrm{-C(O)-}$ or $\mathrm{-CO-}$ .
What are the naming suffixes for aldehydes and ketones?: Aldehydes use **-al**, while ketones use **-one**.
How is oxidation of a carbon atom described using its bonds?: Oxidation replaces a carbon–hydrogen bond with a carbon–oxygen bond.
How do the functional groups of carboxylic acids and esters differ?: A carboxylic acid has a $\mathrm{-COOH}$ group; an ester has a carbonyl-linked oxygen bonded to another carbon group.

Quiz questions

What product can form when a primary alcohol is oxidized under conditions that produce a carbonyl compound?Answer: An aldehyde.
What product can form when a secondary alcohol is oxidized to a carbonyl compound?Answer: A ketone.
Why does the described oxidation not form a carbonyl at the hydroxyl-bearing carbon of a tertiary alcohol?Answer: That carbon has no C–H bond to replace with a C–O bond.
How do carboxylic acids behave in water?Answer: They ionize only partially.

Based on Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, William R. Robinson, PhD (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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