Aldehyde

Definition

An aldehyde is an organic compound that contains a carbonyl group (a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen) with at least one hydrogen atom attached to the carbon of the carbonyl group. It has the general formula RCHO, where R represents any organic substituent.

Related terms

Carbonyl Group: A functional group composed of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, and it is central to various organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones.

Ketone:

An organic compound similar to an aldehyde but with the carbonyl group bonded to two other carbon atoms instead of at least one hydrogen atom.

Organic Compound: A chemically defined substance containing carbon atoms bonded together in molecules, which can include a wide range of structures and functionalities including aldehydes