What is aldehyde?

Aldehyde it is an organic function that has as its main characteristic the presence of the carbonyl group (C=O)on the edge of the carbon chain. Below is the representation of the carbonyl at the end of a chain:

Carbonyl at the end of a chain indicating aldehyde organic function

Whenever the carbonyl is located at the end of a carbon chain, it will have a hydrogen atom attached directly to it. The R group attached to the carbon can be a hydrogen or any radical. Thus, the smallest existing aldehyde has only a single carbon atom:

Structural formula of the lowest aldehyde

There is also the possibility that an aldehyde has more than one carbonyl in the chain:

Structural formula of an aldehyde that has two carbonyls

Let's meet now the nomenclature, characteristics and applications of aldehydes:

a) IUPAC Nomenclature

THE rule of nomenclature established by IUPAC for an aldehyde é:

Prefix (indicating the number of carbons) + infix the type of bonds + al

follow up some application examples of the naming rule for a aldehyde:

Example 1: Propanal

Propanal structural formula

We have an aldehyde of saturated chain (single bonds only) and normal (no branches). So, to name it, just follow the prefix, infix and suffix (al) sequence. He presents three carbons(prop prefix) and simple links (an infix). His name is therefore:

Propanal

Example 2: 2-methyl Butanal

Structural formula of 2-methyl Butanal

here we have a branched and saturated aldehyde (only single bonds), so we must locate the main chain, which must have the carbonyl carbon and the largest number of carbons. The main chain is the horizontal sequence of carbons. Lastly, we number the chain from the carbonyl carbon:

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2-Methyl Butanal Main Chain Numbering

To name this aldehyde, we take into account that, on carbon 2, we have the presence of a radicalmethyl (CH₃-) and that the main chain has four carbons (prefix but) and just simple calls (infix an). His name is therefore:

2-methyl Butanal

Example 3: 3-ethylhex-4-enal

Structural formula of 3-ethylhex-4-enal

here we have a branched and unsaturated aldehyde (has a double bond), so we must locate the main chain, which must have the carbon of the carbonyl and the carbon of the double. The main chain, in this case, will be the horizontal sequence of carbons. Lastly, we number the chain from the carbonyl carbon:

Main chain numbering of 3-ethylhex-4-enal

To name this aldehyde, we take into account that, on carbon 3, we have the presence of a radical ethyl (CH₃-CH₂) and that the main chain presents six carbons (prefixed hex) and one double bond (prefixed at), located on carbon 4. His name is therefore:

3-ethylhex-4-enal

b) Characteristics of aldehydes

At main features of the aldehydes are:

• They are extremely reactive substances;

• They have a lower density than water;

• The physical state (solid, liquid or gas) depends on the amount of carbon in the aldehyde. Aldehydes that have up to two carbons, for example, are gases;

• Most of them have pleasant odors;

• Its molecules are polar;

• They feature easy combustibility (they burn easily).

c) Applications of aldehydes

• Perfume production

• Plastics production

• Pharmaceutical industry

• Food industry

• As an industrial solvent

• Mirror production

• Disinfectant production

• resin production

• Insecticide production

By Me. Diogo Lopes Dias

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

DAYS, Diogo Lopes. "What is aldehyde?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/quimica/o-que-e-aldeido.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.