What Are Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehydes and ketones are a large family of organic compounds that permeate our everyday lives. They are responsible for the fragrant odors of many fruits and fine perfumes. For example, cinnamaldehyde (an aldehyde) provides the smell we associate with cinnamon, and civetone (a ketone) is used to provide the musky odor of many perfumes. Formaldehyde is a component of many building materials we use to construct our houses. The ketones testosterone and estrone are known to many as hormones responsible for our sexual characteristics. And the chemistry of aldehydes and ketones plays a role in how we digest food and even in how we can see the words on this page (see A Word About... The Chemistry of Vision on pages 76-77). So what are aldehydes and ketones ... 

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