Unit 14 - Applications of Organic Chemistry
Assignment 1 - Functional group chemistry for designer molecules.
Aldehydes and ketones
Aldehydes and ketones are simple compounds with a carbonyl group (a carbon-oxygen double
bond). They are relatively simple since there are no extra reactive groups connected directly to the
carbon atom in the carbonyl group, such as –OH or –CL. A hydrogen atom is connected to the
carbonyl group in aldehydes, along with either a second hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group,
which might be an alkyl group or one containing a benzene ring. An example of this is shown below,
When writing equations for these, the aldehyde group is usually expressed as –CHO rather than
COH, which can be mistaken for an alcohol.
Shown examples of Aldehydes and Ketones
The carbonyl group in ketones has two hydrocarbon groups connected to it. These groups can be
alkyl groups or benzene-ringed groups.
To name ketones, you'll need to remember the codes for the amount of carbon atoms in a chain up
to roughly six.
Code Number of Carbons
Meth 1
Eth 2
Prop 3
But 4
Pent 5
Hex 6
The two letters after the code indicate whether the chemical has a carbon-carbon double bond or
not.
Code Meaning
An Only C-C single bonds
En Contains C-C double
bonds
Assignment 1 - Functional group chemistry for designer molecules.
Aldehydes and ketones
Aldehydes and ketones are simple compounds with a carbonyl group (a carbon-oxygen double
bond). They are relatively simple since there are no extra reactive groups connected directly to the
carbon atom in the carbonyl group, such as –OH or –CL. A hydrogen atom is connected to the
carbonyl group in aldehydes, along with either a second hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group,
which might be an alkyl group or one containing a benzene ring. An example of this is shown below,
When writing equations for these, the aldehyde group is usually expressed as –CHO rather than
COH, which can be mistaken for an alcohol.
Shown examples of Aldehydes and Ketones
The carbonyl group in ketones has two hydrocarbon groups connected to it. These groups can be
alkyl groups or benzene-ringed groups.
To name ketones, you'll need to remember the codes for the amount of carbon atoms in a chain up
to roughly six.
Code Number of Carbons
Meth 1
Eth 2
Prop 3
But 4
Pent 5
Hex 6
The two letters after the code indicate whether the chemical has a carbon-carbon double bond or
not.
Code Meaning
An Only C-C single bonds
En Contains C-C double
bonds
