What is the Difference Between Aldehyde and Alcohol?

The main difference between aldehydes and alcohols lies in their functional groups and chemical properties. Here are the key differences:

• Functional Group: Aldehydes contain a -CHO functional group, while alcohols contain a -OH functional group.
• Oxidation: Aldehydes can be produced by the oxidation of alcohols. The carbon atom in the alcohol gains a hydrogen atom and loses an oxygen atom, resulting in the formation of a carbonyl group (C=O) and an aldehyde.
• Number of Carbon Atoms: Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon containing the hydroxyl group. Aldehydes, on the other hand, are not classified in this manner.
• Carbonyl Center: Aldehydes have a carbonyl center (a carbon atom attached to an oxygen atom through a double bond), while alcohols do not have carbonyl centers.

Both aldehydes and alcohols are important in organic synthesis reactions and have various applications in the chemical industry.

Comparative Table: Aldehyde vs Alcohol

The main difference between aldehydes and alcohols lies in their functional groups. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between aldehydes and alcohols:

Aldehydes contain a –CHO functional group, which consists of a carbonyl center (-C=O), and have the general formula R-CHO, where the R group can be either aromatic or aliphatic. On the other hand, alcohols contain a –OH functional group and have the general formula R-OH. The presence of a carbonyl center in aldehydes distinguishes them from alcohols, which do not have such a center. The reactivity of both aldehydes and alcohols is determined by the R group in their respective molecular structures.