formyl group
Quick Summary
The formyl group, represented as HCO−, is a chemical radical derived from formic acid and is characteristic of aldehydes. In formaldehyde, the simplest aldehyde, the carbonyl group is bonded to two hydrogen atoms. In other aldehydes, the carbonyl group is attached to one hydrogen and one carbon group, often represented as —CHO in condensed structural formulas. The carbon atoms bonded to the carbonyl group can be part of various structures, including alkyl groups, rings, or aromatic systems. Functional groups like the formyl group are key to understanding organic chemistry, as they dictate a molecule's reactivity patterns.123
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