What is the Difference Between Aromatic and Aliphatic Aldehydes?

The main difference between aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes lies in the presence or absence of an aromatic group attached to the aldehyde functional group. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Structure: Aromatic aldehydes have their aldehyde functional group (-CHO) attached to an aromatic group, while aliphatic aldehydes do not have their aldehyde functional group attached to an aromatic group.
2. Reactivity: Aromatic aldehydes are generally less reactive than aliphatic aldehydes. This is due to the resonance stabilization in aromatic aldehydes, which makes the carbonyl carbon less electrophilic. In contrast, aliphatic aldehydes have no resonance stabilization, resulting in higher reactivity and electrophilic nature.
3. Oxidation: Aliphatic aldehydes can be easily oxidized even with mild oxidizing agents, while aromatic aldehydes are more resistant to oxidation.

In summary, aromatic aldehydes have an aldehyde functional group attached to an aromatic group, making them less reactive than aliphatic aldehydes, which do not have an aromatic group attached to the aldehyde functional group.

Comparative Table: Aromatic vs Aliphatic Aldehydes

The main difference between aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes lies in the presence of an aromatic group in aromatic aldehydes, while aliphatic aldehydes lack such a group. Here is a table summarizing the differences between aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes:

In summary, aromatic aldehydes are less reactive and less electrophilic than aliphatic aldehydes due to their resonance stabilization.