In an #"aldehyde"#, WHERE does the #"carbonyl"# function lie?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 22, 2016

At the END of a hydrocarbyl chain........

Explanation:

An #"aldehyde"# contains the #R-C(=O)H# and thus is has to be at a chain terminus. On the other hand, a carbonyl group that is flanked by 2 alkyl groups (or non-hydrogen) groups is a #"ketone"#. #"Aldehydes"# tend to be much more reactive than ketones in that steric access to the carbonyl centre is greatly improved.

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