BACK TO carboxyl

carbonyl vs. carboxyl

carbonyl vs. carboxyl: What's the difference?

Carbonyl describes a chemical group that consists of one atom of carbon double bonded to one atom of oxygen. It occurs in acids, ketones, aldehydes, and their derivatives. Carboxyl describes a chemical group that consists of a carbonyl and a hydroxyl bonded to each other. It is found in, and characteristic of, organic acids.

[ kahr-buh-nil ]
    [ kahr-bok-sil ]
    adjective
    1. containing the carboxyl group.

    Compare More Commonly Confused Words