Aldehído

Aldehído is a Spanish word that translates to "aldehyde" in English. Aldehydes are organic compounds that contain a functional group with the general structure RCHO, where R is an alkyl or aryl group, and the carbonyl group (C=O) is bonded to at least one hydrogen atom. This distinguishes them from ketones, where the carbonyl group is bonded to two carbon atoms.

Aldehydes are characterized by their distinctive, often pungent odors. The simplest aldehyde, formaldehyde (HCHO), is a gas and is widely used as a disinfectant and preservative. Another common aldehyde is acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), which is produced during the fermentation of alcohol and is also a component of smog.

The reactivity of aldehydes is largely due to the polar nature of the carbonyl group. The carbon atom in the carbonyl group is electrophilic, making it susceptible to attack by nucleophiles. This property allows aldehydes to participate in a variety of chemical reactions, including oxidation, reduction, and nucleophilic addition reactions. For example, aldehydes can be easily oxidized to carboxylic acids.

Aldehydes play important roles in both biological and industrial processes. They are found as intermediates in metabolism and are used in the synthesis of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fragrances. Their chemical versatility makes them valuable building blocks in organic chemistry.