Carbonyl Compounds

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Carbonyl group Noun

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[kar-buh-neel groop]

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Carbonyl group

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A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O), characteristic of aldehydes and ketones.

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Example: This diagram shows a carbon atom (C) forming a double bond with an oxygen atom (O), which is the definition of a carbonyl group.

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Aldehyde Noun

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[al-duh-hide]

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Aldehyde

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An organic compound with a carbonyl group at the end of a carbon chain, bonded to at least one hydrogen atom.

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Example: This diagram shows the general chemical structure of an aldehyde, which features a carbon atom (C) double-bonded to an oxygen atom (O).

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Ketone Noun

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[kee-tohn]

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Ketone

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An organic compound where the carbon of a carbonyl group is bonded to two other carbon atoms within a chain.

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Example: This diagram shows the chemical structure of a ketone, which has a carbonyl group (a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen) connected between two other carbon atoms.

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Carboxyl group Noun

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[kar-bok-sil groop]

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Carboxyl group

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A functional group consisting of a carbonyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group, represented as -COOH, defining carboxylic acids.

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Example: This image shows the carboxyl group, a carbon atom double-bonded to one oxygen and single-bonded to another, which is highlighted in both a general chemical structure and in the specific molecule acetic acid.

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Carboxylic acid Noun

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[kar-bok-sil-ik as-id]

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Carboxylic acid

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An organic compound that contains one or more carboxyl groups and exhibits acidic properties in aqueous solutions.

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Example: This diagram shows the general structure of a carboxylic acid, which contains a carbon atom double-bonded to one oxygen and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH).

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Ester Noun

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[es-ter]

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Ester

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An organic compound where the hydrogen of a carboxyl group's hydroxyl is replaced by an alkyl or other organic group.

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Example: This image shows that esters are chemical compounds, like propyl acetate and butyl acetate, which are often responsible for the pleasant, fruity smells of pears and apples.

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Amide Noun

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[am-ahyd]

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Amide

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An organic compound where the hydroxyl (-OH) group of a carboxylic acid is replaced by a nitrogen-containing group.

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Example: This image shows how two amino acids join together by forming a special link called a peptide bond, which is a type of amide. This process also releases a water molecule.

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Alkyl group Noun

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[al-kil groop]

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Alkyl group

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A functional group consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in a chain, derived from an alkane by removing one hydrogen.

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Example: This diagram shows a methyl group, the simplest type of alkyl group. It has one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, with one free bond to attach to a larger molecule.

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Hydroxyl group Noun

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[hy-drok-sil groop]

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Hydroxyl group

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A functional group consisting of an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom, represented as -OH, found in alcohols.

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Example: This diagram highlights the hydroxyl group (-OH), which is an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, attached to the carbon chain of an ethanol molecule.

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Methanal Noun

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[meth-uh-nal]

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Methanal

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The simplest aldehyde (HCHO), also known as formaldehyde, which is a colorless, pungent gas used in manufacturing plastics.

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Example: This image shows the Methanal molecule in two ways: its 2D chemical structure and its 3D shape, highlighting the central Carbon-Oxygen double bond.