What is the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone, and what type of molecule can they each be reduced to?

Both aldehydes and ketones have a carbonyl functional group (C=O), however in aldhydes the carbonyl carbon atom is the terminal carbon of the chain, whereas in ketones the carbonyl carbon has two alkyl groups attached to it. 

Aldehydes can be reduced to primary alcohols, but ketones are reduced to secondary alcohols.

AP
Answered by Alastair P. Chemistry tutor

8892 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a rate of reaction? How can we calculate the rate of reaction?


describe the structure of graphite


Without a catalyst, an alkene will react with bromine while benzene will not. Why is this?


Predict the number of peaks in a carbon-13 NMR spectrum of the following carbonyl isomers of C5H8O. (i) CH3CH2CH2CH2CHO (ii) (CH3)3CCHO (iii) CH3COCH(CH3)2


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning