Aldehydes and ketones are both carbonyl compounds, which means they contain a carbon-oxygen double bond C=O . The primary difference between them lies in the structure and the nature of the groups attached to the carbonyl carbon.Structurally:1. Aldehyde: In an aldehyde, the carbonyl carbon is bonded to a hydrogen atom and an alkyl or aryl group R . The general formula for an aldehyde is RCHO, where R can be H, alkyl, or aryl group. Examples include formaldehyde HCHO , acetaldehyde CH3CHO , and benzaldehyde C6H5CHO .2. Ketone: In a ketone, the carbonyl carbon is bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups R . The general formula for a ketone is RCOR', where R and R' can be the same or different alkyl or aryl groups. Examples include acetone CH3COCH3 , methyl ethyl ketone CH3COCH2CH3 , and benzophenone C6H5COC6H5 .Chemically:1. Aldehyde: Aldehydes are generally more reactive than ketones due to the presence of the hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon. This makes aldehydes more susceptible to nucleophilic attack, as the hydrogen atom is less electron-donating than alkyl or aryl groups. Aldehydes can be easily oxidized to carboxylic acids, and they can undergo various nucleophilic addition reactions, such as Grignard reactions, aldol condensation, and Wittig reactions.2. Ketone: Ketones are less reactive than aldehydes because they have two electron-donating alkyl or aryl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. This makes the carbonyl carbon less electrophilic and less susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Ketones can undergo nucleophilic addition reactions similar to aldehydes, but they are generally less reactive. Ketones are also more resistant to oxidation compared to aldehydes.The difference in reactivity between aldehydes and ketones affects their behavior with other organic compounds. For example, aldehydes are more prone to polymerization and condensation reactions, while ketones are more stable and less likely to undergo such reactions. Additionally, aldehydes can be selectively oxidized in the presence of ketones due to their higher reactivity, which is useful in organic synthesis and separation techniques.