Structure

Since the carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon chain, the carbon atom in that group is not bonded to two other carbon atoms, as in the ketones. Instead, it is bonded to one carbon atom and one hydrogen atom. (There is one important exception.) This is often written as -CHO to save time and space. Note that the H is before the O. That is to distinguish aldehydes from alcohols (COH).

Structure of aldehyde group. [63str04.JPG]

Both the ball-and-stick and the space-filling models of aldehydes show that they are polar molecules. We also have models at the demonstration table, which you should look at when you are in the lab.

Models (ball-and-stick and space-filling) of propanal. [63mod15.JPG]

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E-mail instructor: Eden Francis

Clackamas Community College
Š2001, 2003 Clackamas Community College, Hal Bender