What is the general molecular formula of aldehydes?

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What is the general molecular formula of aldehydes?

Aldehydes are defined by a formyl group: the carbonyl carbon is bonded to one hydrogen and to an R group. This gives the general formula R-CHO, where R stands for any hydrocarbon group. The carbonyl (C=O) bond with a terminal hydrogen is the hallmark of the aldehyde, distinguishing it from other carbonyl-containing families. For example, carboxylic acids are R-CO2H, ketones are R-CO-R, and a description like R-COH doesn't correctly represent the aldehyde functionality. So R-CHO precisely captures the structure of aldehydes.

Aldehydes are defined by a formyl group: the carbonyl carbon is bonded to one hydrogen and to an R group. This gives the general formula R-CHO, where R stands for any hydrocarbon group. The carbonyl (C=O) bond with a terminal hydrogen is the hallmark of the aldehyde, distinguishing it from other carbonyl-containing families. For example, carboxylic acids are R-CO2H, ketones are R-CO-R, and a description like R-COH doesn't correctly represent the aldehyde functionality. So R-CHO precisely captures the structure of aldehydes.

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