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A carbonyl compound is an organic compound that contains a carbonyl functional group. This group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, represented as C=O. The carbonyl group is polar due to the electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen, with the oxygen atom carrying a partial negative charge and the carbon atom carrying a partial positive charge. This polarity influences the reactivity of carbonyl compounds.

Carbonyl compounds are broadly classified based on what other atoms or groups are attached to the carbonyl carbon. Aldehydes have at least one hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon, while ketones have two carbon atoms attached. Carboxylic acids contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the carbonyl carbon, and esters are formed when the hydrogen of a carboxylic acid is replaced by an alkyl or aryl group. Amides have an amino group (-NH2, -NHR, or -NR2) attached to the carbonyl carbon.

These compounds are ubiquitous in nature and industry. They play vital roles in biological systems, forming the backbone of carbohydrates and being present in amino acids and fatty acids. Industrially, carbonyl compounds are used as solvents, such as acetone and ethyl acetate, and are precursors in the synthesis of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fragrances. Their reactivity allows for a wide range of chemical transformations, making them fundamental building blocks in organic synthesis.