`=>` In this Unit, we will study about the organic compounds containing carbon-oxygen double bond (`color{red}(> C=O)`) called carboxyl group, which is one of the most important functional groups in organic chemistry.

`=>` In aldehydes, the carbonyl group is bonded to a carbon and hydrogen while in the ketones, it is bonded to two carbon atoms.

`=>` The carbonyl compounds in which carbonyl group is bonded to oxygen are known as carboxylic acids, and their derivatives (e.g. esters, anhydrides).

`=>` The carbonyl compounds in which carbonyl group is bonded to nitrogen and to halogens are called amides and acyl halides respectively. The general formulas of these classes of compounds are shown in fig.1.

`=>` Aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids are widespread in plants and animal kingdom.

● They play an important role in biochemical processes of life.

● They add fragrance and flavour to nature, for example, vanillin (from vanilla beans), salicylaldehyde (from meadow sweet) and cinnamaldehyde (from cinnamon) have very pleasant fragrances. See fig.2.

`=>` They are used in many food products and pharmaceuticals to add flavours.

● Some of these families are manufactured for use as solvents (i.e., acetone) and for preparing materials like adhesives, paints, resins, perfumes, plastics, fabrics, etc.

`=>` Aldehydes and ketones are often called by their common names instead of IUPAC names.

`=>` The common names of most aldehydes are derived from the common names of the corresponding carboxylic acids by replacing the ending –ic of acid with aldehyde.

`=>` At the same time, the names reflect the Latin or Greek term for the original source of the acid or aldehyde.

`=>` The location of the substituent in the carbon chain is indicated by Greek letters `color{red}(α, β, γ, δ)` etc. The `color{red}(α)`-carbon being the one directly linked to the aldehyde group, `color{red}(β)`- carbon the next, and so on. For example : See fig.1.


`=>` The common names of ketones are derived by naming two alkyl or aryl groups bonded to the carbonyl group.

`=>` The locations of substituents are indicated by Greek letters, `color{red}(α , α′, β , β′)` and so on beginning with the carbon atoms next to the carbonyl group, indicated as `color{red}(α , α′)`.

`=>` Some ketones have historical common names, the simplest dimethyl ketone is called acetone. Alkyl phenyl ketones are usually named by adding the acyl group as prefix to phenone. For example : See fig.2.

`=>` The IUPAC names of open chain aliphatic aldehydes and ketones are derived from the names of the corresponding alkanes by replacing the ending `color{red}(–e)` with `color{red}(–a l)` and –one respectively.

● In case of aldehydes, the longest carbon chain is numbered starting from the carbon of the aldehyde group.

● In case of ketones the numbering begins from the end nearer to the carbonyl group.

● The substituents are prefixed in alphabetical order along with numerals indicating their positions in the carbon chain.

`=>` The same applies to cyclic ketones, where the carbonyl carbon is numbered one.

`=>` When the aldehyde group is attached to a ring, the suffix carbaldehyde is added after the full name of the cycloalkane.

`=>` The numbering of the ring carbon atoms start from the carbon atom attached to the aldehyde group.

`=>` The name of the simplest aromatic aldehyde carrying the aldehyde group on a benzene ring is benzenecarbaldehyde.

`color{red}(text(Note ))` : The common name benzaldehyde is also accepted by IUPAC. Other aromatic aldehydes are hence named as substituted benzaldehydes.

`=>` The common and IUPAC names of some aldehydes and ketones are given in Table 12.1.