Aldehyde
Definition
Aldehydes are organic compounds that have a carbonyl group located at the end of the carbon skeleton. They are represented by the structural formula R-CHO.
Analogy
Aldehydes can be thought of as like a bookend on a shelf. Just as a bookend is always found at the end of a row of books, an aldehyde group is always at the end of a molecule.
Related terms
Ketone: A similar compound to aldehydes but with the carbonyl group in the middle rather than at the end, like a book placed in between others on a shelf.
Formaldehyde: The simplest form of aldehyde where R (the rest part) is hydrogen (H).
Acetaldehyde: An aldehyde where R is methyl (-CH3), often associated with hangovers after alcohol consumption.
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