Which compound is an aldehyde?

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Multiple Choice

Which compound is an aldehyde?

Aldehydes feature a carbonyl group (C=O) with at least one hydrogen attached to the carbonyl carbon, giving the form R-CHO. Butanal has a terminal CHO group, CH3-CH2-CH2-CHO, which fits this pattern. Ethanol contains a hydroxyl group (-OH), not a carbonyl. Benzene is an aromatic ring without a C=O group. Ethyl methyl ether is an ether (R-O-R'), not a carbonyl compound. So butanal is the aldehyde.

Aldehydes feature a carbonyl group (C=O) with at least one hydrogen attached to the carbonyl carbon, giving the form R-CHO. Butanal has a terminal CHO group, CH3-CH2-CH2-CHO, which fits this pattern. Ethanol contains a hydroxyl group (-OH), not a carbonyl. Benzene is an aromatic ring without a C=O group. Ethyl methyl ether is an ether (R-O-R'), not a carbonyl compound. So butanal is the aldehyde.

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