Aldehydes are a class of organic compounds containing a formyl group (−CHO) attached to carbon. They are typically reactive intermediates or end products in organic synthesis, with distinctive pungent odors for many simple members. In chemistry contexts, the term often appears in discussions of reactivity, mechanisms, and functional group transformations.
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"The aldehydes underwent oxidation to form carboxylic acids under the catalyst."
"Aldehydes such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are common intermediates in polymerization reactions."
"Researchers studied the aldehydic carbon in the aldehyde group to understand reaction pathways."
"In the lab, you should handle aldehydes with care due to their volatile and reactive nature."
Aldehyde derives from the Dutch aldehydt? or Dutch aldehyde, from aldehyd, from aldehol? The root formyl group is from formic acid (Latin forma), with the “-yl” suffix marking a substituent. The ‘aldehyde’ spelling was stabilized in the 19th century as chemists standardized naming for carbonyl-containing compounds. The term was adopted to distinguish aldehydes from other carbonyl groups like ketones and acids; early algebraic formulations identified the formyl group as a distinct functional group. First known use in English appears in the 1850s, tied to advancements in organic chemistry and the elucidation of oxidation-state changes in hydrocarbon derivatives. Historically, aldehydes were understood as the oxidation products of primary alcohols and as intermediates in polymerization and fragrance chemistry, with formaldehyde emerging as the simplest and most historically significant member. The word’s evolution reflects the broader shift from empirical observation to systematic nomenclature in the field of carbonyl chemistry, linking laboratory practice with theoretical frameworks.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "aldehydes" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "aldehydes"
-des sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈɔːld.haɪdz/ in US/UK/AU. Stress on the first syllable: AL-deh-hydes, with the formyl group sounding like “alde-” plus “hydes.” The middle is /də/ and the final is /haɪdz/; the /h/ is heard, the /y/ forms the /aɪ/ diphthong. Ensure the /ld/ cluster is tight: keep the tongue at the alveolar ridge for /l/ and quickly release into /d/. Audio reference: think of “old” + “hydes” with a clear /haɪdz/ ending.
Common errors: misplacing stress (say AL-deh- Hyde-s but some say al-DEE-hyde-s). Another typical mistake is mispronouncing the /ld/ cluster, producing /lɪd/ or separating the sounds too slowly. Also, some speakers drop the /d/ in the /ld/ linkage, producing /ˈɔːl haɪdz/. Correct by rehearsing the /ld/ blend and keeping the /h/ audible before /aɪdz/.
In US and UK, /ˈɔːl.dɪz/ vs /ˈɔːld.haɪdz/? Actually aldehydes typically /ˈæl.dɪ.haɪdz/ or /ˈɔːld.haɪdz/? Ensure accuracy: standard is /ˈɔːld.haɪdz/ (US/UK). In Australian English, non-rhotic or rhotic? AU tends to be non-rhotic but with a clearer /ɔː/; vowels in /haɪdz/ similar to US but less pronounced rhotics. Overall, vowels near /ɔː/ and the /haɪdz/ ending remains consistent.
Because it has a subtle /ld/ cluster followed by a strong /haɪdz/ ending; the sequence /ld.h/ can blur, and the initial /ɔː/ or /æ/ vowel requires precise mouth position. The /haɪd/ portion has a voiceless /h/ onset and a voiced /d/ at the end; maintaining timing across syllables helps avoid a rushed final /dz/.
The plural aldehydes ends with /-haɪdz/, but sometimes in rapid speech the final /z/ may be devoiced to /s/. You can train by saying “aldehydes” slowly, then link to “aldehyde” singular to hear the pattern: AL-dee-haydz vs AL-dee-hyd.
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