carbonyl

American  

[kahr-buh-nil] / ˈkɑr bə nɪl /

adjective

1. containing the carbonyl group.

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noun

1. a compound containing metal combined with carbon monoxide, as nickel carbonyl, Ni(CO) 4 .

carbonyl British  

/ ˈkɑːbəˌnaɪl, -nɪl /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the divalent group =CO

   a carbonyl group or radical

2. any one of a class of inorganic complexes in which carbonyl groups are bound directly to metal atoms

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carbonyl Scientific  

/ kär′bə-nĭl′ /

1. The radical CO, found in a wide range of chemical compounds, especially in aldehydes and ketones.

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Other Word Forms

• carbonylic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of carbonyl

First recorded in 1865–70; carbon + -yl

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Compare meaning

How does carbonyl compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• carbonyl vs. carboxyl

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carbonyl

Through both laboratory experiments and computer simulations, the researchers discovered that Ca2+ ions move quickly along aligned carbonyl groups inside the structured pores of the covalent organic frameworks.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2026

The researchers calculated the present destruction rate of water, carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulphide molecules in Venus' atmosphere, which must be restored by volcanic gases to keep the atmosphere stable.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 2, 2024

Volcanoes and industrial emissions are the main natural sources of sulfur dioxide, one precursor of sulfates; carbonyl sulfide, a gas emitted by microbes in the oceans, is another.

From Science Magazine ● Feb. 13, 2023

In addition to simple ices such as water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and methane, Webb sees several other compounds, including carbonyl sulphide and the more complex organic ice methanol.

From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2023

The average value for the carboxyl group is 119.75 calories, i.e. it is equal to the sum of the thermal effects of the aldehyde and carbonyl groups.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

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