Aldehüüdrühma

The term "aldehüüdrühma" refers to the aldehyde functional group in chemistry. It is characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) where the carbon atom is bonded to at least one hydrogen atom and at least one alkyl or aryl group. The general formula for an aldehyde is R-CHO, where R represents an organic substituent. This functional group is crucial in organic chemistry and is present in many important compounds.

Aldehydes are known for their reactivity, primarily due to the polar nature of the carbonyl bond. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than the carbon atom, leading to a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the carbon. This makes the carbon atom susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Aldehydes can undergo various reactions, including oxidation to carboxylic acids, reduction to primary alcohols, and addition reactions with nucleophiles.

The simplest aldehyde is formaldehyde (HCHO), where R is a hydrogen atom. Methanal, the IUPAC name for formaldehyde, is a gas at room temperature and is widely used in industry for the production of resins, plastics, and disinfectants. Other common aldehydes include acetaldehyde (ethanal), propanal, and benzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde, with its characteristic almond-like smell, is used in flavorings and fragrances. The presence of the aldehüüdrühma significantly influences the physical and chemical properties of organic molecules.