Carbonylfunktion

The carbonyl group is a functional group in organic chemistry that consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom. This C=O bond is polar due to the higher electronegativity of oxygen, which draws electron density away from the carbon atom. This polarity makes the carbon atom electrophilic, meaning it is susceptible to attack by nucleophiles, which are electron-rich species. The carbonyl group is a central feature in several important classes of organic compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, and amides.

Aldehydes are characterized by a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom. Ketones, on the other hand, have the carbonyl group situated between two carbon atoms. Carboxylic acids contain a carbonyl group directly attached to a hydroxyl (-OH) group. Esters are formed when the hydroxyl group of a carboxylic acid is replaced by an alkoxy (-OR) group. Amides are formed when the hydroxyl group is replaced by an amino (-NR2) group. The reactivity and properties of these compounds are largely dictated by the presence and environment of the carbonyl group. Reactions involving the carbonyl group are fundamental to organic synthesis and biological processes.