Aldehydes
- Have a C=O group (carbonyl) at the end of the chain.
- Formula: R–CHO
- Example: CH₃CHO (acetaldehyde)
Ketones
- Have a C=O group in the middle of the chain.
- Formula: R–CO–R′
- Example: CH₃COCH₃ (acetone)
Main difference:
- Aldehyde = C=O at the end
- Ketone = C=O in the middle