Carbonyl group

Definition

A carbonyl group is a functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O). It is a pivotal feature in various organic compounds, including aldehydes and ketones.

Related terms

Aldehyde:

An organic compound containing a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom.

Ketone:

An organic compound where the carbonyl group is bonded to two carbon atoms.

Reactivity:

A measure of how readily a chemical species undergoes a chemical reaction