Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary terms related to the chemistry of aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids.

Carbonyl Group

A functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (>C=O).

Aldehyde

Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group where the carbon is bonded to at least one hydrogen atom; commonly named with the suffix –al.

Ketone

Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group where the carbon is bonded to two other carbon atoms; commonly named with the suffix –one.

Carboxylic Acid

Organic compounds containing a carboxyl group (–COOH), characterized by acidity and often recognized by the suffix –oic acid.

IUPAC Naming

The systematic way of naming organic compounds according to international rules set by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Nucleophilic Addition

A reaction mechanism where a nucleophile forms a bond with an electrophilic carbon atom in a carbonyl compound.

Aldol Condensation

A reaction between aldehydes or ketones having at least one alpha hydrogen that results in the formation of beta-hydroxy aldehydes or ketones.

Oxidation of Alcohols

The process of converting primary and secondary alcohols into corresponding aldehydes and ketones respectively.

Cannizzaro Reaction

A reaction in which an aldehyde without α-hydrogens undergoes disproportionation in the presence of a strong base to yield an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

Decarboxylation

A chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide, commonly observed in carboxylic acids.