In an aldehyde, WHERE does the carbonyl function lie?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 22, 2016

At the END of a hydrocarbyl chain........

Explanation:

An aldehyde contains the R−C(=O)H and thus is has to be at a chain terminus. On the other hand, a carbonyl group that is flanked by 2 alkyl groups (or non-hydrogen) groups is a ketone. Aldehydes tend to be much more reactive than ketones in that steric access to the carbonyl centre is greatly improved.

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