Carbonyl Group

Name:
Carbonyl Group
Detailed information:
The divalent group ═C═O, which occurs in a wide range of chemical compounds. It is present in aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, and sugars and in the carboxyl group, i.e.,

In combination with transition metals, it forms coordination compounds that are highly toxic, because they decompose to release carbon monoxide when absorbed by the body, e.g., nickel carbonyl. Several metal carbonyls have antiknock properties. The carbonyl group is also found in combination with nonmetals, as in phosgene (carbonyl chloride); these compounds are also poisonous.