Introduction to Aldehydes

Aldehydes are organic compounds containing a carbonyl group with an R-CHO structure. The 'R' can be a hydrogen or hydrocarbon side-chain, making the compound diverse in reactivity and application.

Aldehydes are named using the IUPAC system, where the '-e' in the corresponding alkane's name is replaced with '-al'. For example, ethane becomes ethanal. Common names often derive from the acid they form.

Lower aldehydes are typically liquids at room temperature and have distinctive odors. As molecular weight increases, their boiling points rise, and they transition to solids.

Aldehydes are highly reactive due to their carbonyl group. They participate in nucleophilic addition and oxidation reactions, where they can be oxidized to carboxylic acids.

Aldehydes play crucial roles in biology. Formaldehyde is involved in DNA synthesis, while other aldehydes are key intermediates in metabolic pathways like glycolysis.

Aldehydes are pivotal in manufacturing resins, dyes, and organic acids. Formaldehyde is a vital precursor in the production of many polymers and chemical compounds.

Some aldehydes have surprising roles. Vanillin, the primary component of vanilla bean extract, is an aldehyde. Traces of aldehyde in space hint at the complexity of interstellar chemistry.