Definition

A chemical group or radical that consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, often found in aldehydes and related compounds.

Example

The formyl group is essential in the structure of many organic compounds.

Conversation

Have you heard about the chemical called formyl?

Yeah, it's related to aldehydes, right?

Exactly! I read that it's a radical found in formic acid.

That's interesting; I didn’t know it had such a specific structure.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Formyl** → It is formed from "form" (from Latin *forma*, meaning shape or appearance) and "-yl" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a radical or group derived from a parent compound). The word "formyl" refers to a chemical group derived from formic acid, indicating a specific shape or structure in organic chemistry.

Memory Tip

Think of 'form' as relating to 'shape' and remember that 'formyl' refers to a specific chemical group that has a defined structure.

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