What is the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone, and what type of molecule can they each be reduced to?

Both aldehydes and ketones have a carbonyl functional group (C=O), however in aldhydes the carbonyl carbon atom is the terminal carbon of the chain, whereas in ketones the carbonyl carbon has two alkyl groups attached to it. 

Aldehydes can be reduced to primary alcohols, but ketones are reduced to secondary alcohols.

Answered by Alastair P. Chemistry tutor

7331 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do anti-bumping granules work?


How do you decide what the sign of the enthalpy change should be?


How do amino acids change at different pH?


What are the oxidation numbers of each element in these examples: a) H2SO4 b) N2 c) NH4+


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences