Functional Groups - Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehydes and Ketones



Name Functional Group
Structure 		Example Compound Official Name of Example
(Common Name)
Formal Name Ending
ketone 2-propanone
(acetone or
dimethyl ketone)
-one endings
aldehyde ethanal
(acetaldehyde)
-al endings


Ketones

A carbon double bonded to an oxygen is called a carbonyl group. Compounds in which the carbon of a carbonyl group is bonded to two other carbons are called ketones. Ketones are named the same way as are alkenes except that an -one ending is used. The location of the carbonyl group in the molecule is identified by numbering the longest chain of carbons so that the carbonyl group has the lowest number possible.

is 2-pentanone


Aldehydes

When one of the groups attached to the carbonyl group is a hydrogen instead of a carbon, the compound is called an aldehyde. Aldehydes are given an -al ending. Locating the carbonyl group in an aldehyde is not necessary as it is always on the end.

is butanal.



Continue reading about alcohols and phenols.


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