Answer to Question #247786 in Organic Chemistry for Bongani

Question

Describe the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone and indicate how each differs from an alcohol

Answer 1

Alcohols containing two OH groups on adjacent carbon atoms are called glycols.

In aldehydes at least one bond on the carbonyl group is a carbon-to-hydrogen bond; in ketones, both available bonds on the carbonyl carbon atom are carbon-to-carbon bonds. Aldehydes are synthesized by the oxidation of primary alcohols.