Question

question
the term carbonyl group best fits which of the following descriptions?
select the correct answer below:
a carbonyl group is a carbon atom double - bonded to an oxygen atom and flanked by a carbon substituent and a hydrogen atom.
a carbonyl group is a carbon atom double - bonded to an oxygen atom and flanked by two carbon substituents.
a carbonyl group is a carbon atom double - bonded to an oxygen atom.
a carbonyl group is a substituent that contains one less hydrogen than the corresponding alkane.

Explanation:

A carbonyl group is defined as a carbon atom double - bonded to an oxygen atom (\(C = O\)).

• Option A describes an aldehyde (a carbonyl group with one hydrogen and one carbon substituent), not the general carbonyl group.
• Option B describes a ketone (a carbonyl group with two carbon substituents), not the general carbonyl group.
• Option D is an incorrect description of a carbonyl group. The general formula for a carbonyl group is simply \(C = O\) regardless of the substituents (in aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids etc., the carbonyl group is the \(C = O\) part).

Answer:

C. A carbonyl group is a carbon atom double - bonded to an oxygen atom.