Draw the structure of each aldehyde or ketone. a. hexanal

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the functional group for an aldehyde, which is the carbonyl group \( \text{C=O} \) with a hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon.
2. Recognize that 'hexanal' indicates an aldehyde with a six-carbon chain. The suffix '-al' denotes an aldehyde.
3. Draw a straight chain of six carbon atoms to represent the hexane backbone.
4. Attach the aldehyde functional group \( \text{CHO} \) to the terminal carbon of the chain, ensuring the carbonyl carbon is at the end of the chain.
5. Complete the structure by adding hydrogen atoms to the remaining carbon atoms to satisfy the tetravalency of carbon, ensuring each carbon forms four bonds.

Key Concepts

Aldehydes

Aldehydes are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) at the end of a carbon chain. The general formula for aldehydes is RCHO, where R represents a hydrocarbon chain. In the case of hexanal, it consists of a six-carbon chain with the carbonyl group located at the terminal carbon, making it a straight-chain aldehyde.

Ketones

Ketones are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) situated between two carbon atoms, which distinguishes them from aldehydes. The general formula for ketones is RC(=O)R', where R and R' can be the same or different hydrocarbon chains. Understanding the structure of ketones is essential for recognizing their properties and reactivity in organic chemistry.

Structural Representation

Structural representation in organic chemistry involves depicting the arrangement of atoms within a molecule, including bonds and functional groups. For aldehydes and ketones, this includes showing the carbonyl group and the carbon chain. Drawing these structures accurately is crucial for visualizing molecular interactions and predicting chemical behavior.