Aldehydes and Ketones

    

Aldehydes and Ketones are represented as chains of carbons that have one or more carbonyl (C=O) groups on the main carbon chain/structure. While both Aldehydes and Ketones have this/these carbonyl group(s), the difference is in the location of these groups on the carbon chain. Aldehydes' carbonyl group(s) is located on the ends of the main chain, or, the last carbon on the main chain. Ketones, on the other hand, have their carbonyl groups located on a carbon that is NOT on the ends of the molecule, or, not on the last carbons of the main chain. The Rs' on the general structures are used to represent a carbon chain coming off of the carbonyl groups.

General Formula

The general formula for aldehydes:

RCHO

The general formula for ketones:

RCOR'

B  ack