Odour of carbonyl compounds
Aldehyde's and ketone's are the carbonyl compounds found widely in nature. The characteristic odour of Cherries and flavouring units of Vanillin are due to an aldehyde. Sting of Millipede is painful due to presence of another aldehyde. The odour of Garlic is produced by ketone's.
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The carbonyl compounds include the aldehydes and ketones. The carbonyl functional group (C = O) consists of a carbon atom double‐bonded to an oxygen atom. The carbonyl group is strongly polar (Cδ+ = O δ−), and this has a marked effect on the physical and chemical properties of the carbonyl compounds.
Carbonyl compounds are very common in our everyday lives. The poisonous aldehyde‐based compound used in slug pellets and the ketones used as solvents for nail polish remover and for a wide variety of industrial processes have physical and chemical properties determined by the carbonyl group.
The characteristic odor of cherries is due to benzaldehyde. Aldehydes and ketones comprise a number of interesting everyday compounds. Aldehydes such as vanillin and cinnamaldehyde (odor of cinnamon) impart odors familiar to all of us. The odor of garlic is produced by ketones.
The horrible millipede bite produces its sting due to the presence of benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide in the fluid released. The drug cortisone is a ketone used to relieve individuals with rheumatism. Many cosmetics contain carbonyl compounds.