Question

Which of the following statement is true for aldehydes and ketones?

• A. Aldehydes are considered as subsets of ketones.
• B. The carbonyl group for aldehydes is always at the end of the molecule.
• C. Aldehydes are formed only for carbon compounds with less than 5 carbon atoms.
• D. Both exhibit similar physical properties.

Answer 1

The correct option is B The carbonyl group for aldehydes is always at the end of the molecule.

A carbonyl group is a functional group, where a carbon atom is double bonded to an oxygen atom. Both aldehydes and ketones contain carbonyl groups. However, the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone is that, in an aldehyde, a hydrogen atom is attached to the C=O double bond which makes the functional group to be found at the end of the molecule.