What is the Difference Between Carbonyl and Carboxyl?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between carbonyl and carboxyl groups lies in their structure and reactivity. Both groups involve a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, but they differ in the additional atoms or groups bonded to them:
- Carbonyl group: This group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom. It is found in compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, and their derivatives. The carbonyl group is not acidic.
- Carboxyl group: This group consists of a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group bonded to each other. It is found in compounds like carboxylic acids, amino acids, and their derivatives. The carboxyl group is acidic and can act as a weak acid, dissociating at high pH values.
In terms of electrophilic character, carboxyl groups are less reactive than carbonyl groups. The carbonyl carbon bears a higher degree of electrophilicity and is therefore more reactive. While carbonyl groups can be reduced using less reactive agents like sodium borohydride, carboxyl groups require stronger reagents like lithium aluminum hydride.
Comparative Table: Carbonyl vs Carboxyl
Here is a table comparing the differences between carbonyl and carboxyl groups:
Property | Carbonyl Group | Carboxyl Group |
---|---|---|
Structure | Carbonyl consists of carbon atoms double bonded to an oxygen atom. | Carboxyl group contains a carbonyl group as well as a hydroxyl group. |
Polarity | Carbonyl groups are polar due to the charge separation between the oxygen and carbon atoms. | Carboxyl groups are polar and can release protons from their hydroxyl group. |
Solubility | Carbonyl groups are found in many different biological molecules, including proteins, peptides, and carbohydrates. | Carboxyl groups are commonly found in amino acids, fatty acids, and other biomolecules. |
Hybridization | Both carbonyl and carboxylic compounds are sp2 hybridized. | Both carbonyl and carboxylic compounds are sp2 hybridized. |
Reactivity | The carbonyl group is relatively reactive due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and oxygen. | The carboxyl group can ionize by releasing the hydrogen atom (proton) from their "-OH" group. |
Examples | Examples of carbonyl compounds include acetone, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde. | Examples of carboxyl compounds include acetic acid, benzoic acid, and formic acid. |
In summary, the key distinction between carbonyl and carboxyl groups is that a carboxyl group contains a carbonyl group as well as a hydroxyl group, while a carbonyl group only consists of a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen atom. Carboxyl groups can ionize by releasing protons from their hydroxyl group, while carbonyl groups cannot.
- Carbonyl vs Ketone
- Carboxylic Acid vs Alcohol
- Carbene vs Carbanion
- Carbocation vs Carbanion
- Carbonic Acid vs Carbolic Acid
- Organometallic Compounds vs Metal Carbonyls
- Carboxylic Acid vs Ester
- Aliphatic vs Aromatic Carboxylic Acid
- Hydrocarbons vs Carbohydrates
- Carbonyl vs Nitrosyl Complexes
- Carbonium Ion vs Carbanion
- Allylic vs Vinylic Carbons
- Terminal vs Bridging Carbonyls
- Carbonate vs Bicarbonate
- Carbonic Acid vs Bicarbonate
- Oxygen vs Carbon Dioxide
- Acetyl CoA vs Acyl CoA
- Acyl vs Acetyl
- Hydrogen Peroxide vs Carbamide Peroxide