Which structural formula represents an aldehyde? HO A) H-C-C-OH H B) HHH H-C-C-C-H HHH C) HO H-C-C-H HH D) H H H-C-C-OH HH
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D) H H H-C-C-OH HH.
Explanation:
An aldehyde is a functional group characterized by the structure R-CHO, where “R” is any carbon-containing group, and “CHO” represents the aldehyde functional group. The aldehyde group consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a hydrogen atom (H).
Here’s a breakdown of the options:
- A) H-C-C-OH: This structure suggests a two-carbon chain where one carbon is attached to a hydroxyl group (OH) and the other to a hydrogen atom. This resembles a hydroxy alcohol, not an aldehyde.
- B) H-C-C-C-H: This structure represents a simple alkane with a three-carbon chain and no functional group like a carbonyl group. Therefore, this is not an aldehyde.
- C) H-C-C-H: This structure suggests a two-carbon chain with a hydrogen atom attached to each carbon. This could represent an alkane, and there is no carbonyl group, so it’s not an aldehyde.
- D) H H H-C-C-OH HH: This structure has a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a hydrogen atom (H), with the remaining bonds filled by hydrogen atoms. This represents the aldehyde functional group (R-CHO), where the carbonyl group is bonded to a hydrogen atom.
Therefore, option D correctly represents an aldehyde. In this case, the aldehyde functional group is a two-carbon chain (C-C) with a hydrogen attached to one carbon and a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to the other, forming an aldehyde.
