Aldehyde

An aldehyde is an organic compound containing a carbon to oxygen double bond (also known as the carbonyl group). The carbon atom must be attached to at least one hydrogen atom to be an aldehyde. A common aldehyde is formaldehyde (CH2O), which is a carbonyl group with a hydrogen atom on each side.

## Common aldehydes[edit]

Common name  |  Systematic name  |  Formula

|
|

Formaldehyde  |  Methanal  |  HCHO
Acetaldehyde  |  Ethanal  |  CH3CHO
Propionaldehyde  |  Propanal  |  CH3CH2CHO
Butyraldehyde  |  Butanal  |  CH3CH2CH2CHO

## Ketones[edit]

Aldehydes differ from ketones. While both are similar, ketones require the carbonyl carbon atom to be bonded to two other carbon atoms.[1]

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ Solomon's Organic Chemistry, Fifth Edition, 1992