Lesson Eight

Carbonyl Compounds
Aldehydes and ketones  are organic compounds  contain carbonyl group C=O. In
aldehydes, the carbonyl group is attached to at least one Hydrogen atom.  On the other hand in
Ketones the carbonyl carbon is joined to two other carbons and

The general formula

Carbonyl group
Carbonyl oxygen Carbonyl group
O Carbonyl oxygen
O
C C
R H R R

Carbonyl carbon Carbonyl carbon

Aldehydes are abbreviated to RCHO                         Ketones are abbreviated to RCOR.

Nomenclature:

The nomenclature of this class of compounds was previously

discussed  (see Cem. 102). The names of some selected compounds are
given in the following:

Aldehydes

 
O Br O Cl O

HCH CH3CHCH CH3CHCH2CH

IUPAC Methanal 2-bromopropanal 3-chlorobutana
Common. Formaldehyde -bromopropionaldehyde  -chlorobutyraldehyde 

O
CH

CH3

IUPAC : trans-2-methylcyclohexane carbaldehyde

Ketones
   
O O

CH3CCH3 CH3CH2CCH2CH2CH3
IUPAC Propanone 3-hexanone  
Common. Acetone ethylpropyl ketone  
 
O O O O

CH3CCH2CCH3 CH3CH=CHCH2CCH3

IUPAC Cyclohexanone 2,4-pentanedione 4-hexen- 2-one

Common.   acetylacetone  
 
O O O

CCH3 CH3CCH2CH2CH

IUPAC Acetophenone 4-oxopentanal

Common. Methyl phenylketone  

Some interesting aldehydes and ketones

CHO
CHO

Benzaldehyde is an oil found in

almonds. Cinnamaldehyde is oil of cinnamon.
O
O O H3C CH3
CH3
H 3C CH3
Biacetyl is responsible for the Irone is responsible for the odor of
flavor of butter. violets.
CHO H3 C O

OCH3
OH
Vanillin gives vanilla its Muscone is musk oil, a common
flavor. ingredient for perfumes