1. a functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O), found in aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters
Usage: chemistry term; commonly used in organic chemistry
2. a compound formed by the combination of a metal with carbon monoxide
Usage: chemistry term; inorganic chemistry

Examples

• The carbonyl group is essential to the structure of ketones and aldehydes.
• Acetone contains a carbonyl functional group.
• The carbonyl carbon is typically more reactive than other carbons in the molecule.
• Iron carbonyl is used as a catalyst in some industrial processes.
• Students learn to identify carbonyl groups when studying organic chemistry.
• The carbonyl oxygen is often the site of nucleophilic attack in chemical reactions.