Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Carbonyl compounds play a central role in organic chemistry, comprising functional groups with a carbon-oxygen double bond (>C=O), known as the carbonyl group. This section focuses specifically on aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids.
- Aldehydes: In these compounds, the carbonyl group is connected to at least one hydrogen atom.
- Ketones: Here, the carbonyl group is bonded to two carbon atoms.
- Carboxylic acids: These are characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the carbonyl carbon.
In broader applications, these compounds are found in the natural world, contributing fragrances and flavors, such as vanillin from vanilla beans. They are also critical to numerous industrial processes, with uses spanning solvents (like acetone), and various materials, including plastics and pharmaceuticals.