Which compound has the formula H-C=OH?

The compound with the formula H-C=OH represents formaldehyde. This chemical structure can be broken down as follows: H (attached to carbon) indicates the presence of a hydrogen atom connected to the carbon atom (C). The C=O denotes a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, revealing the presence of a carbonyl group. The hydroxyl group (-OH) is indicated by the terminal part of the formula, representing that the carbon atom is also attached to a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group.

Formaldehyde is specifically characterized by having the formula CH2O, which corresponds to H-C=O, where the carbon has two hydrogen atoms. Understanding this structure and the arrangement of bonds is essential in organic chemistry nomenclature. The presence of the carbonyl group and the structure being a simple aldehyde is crucial in identifying formaldehyde.

In comparison, formic acid (HCOOH) contains a carboxylic acid group, acetic acid (CH3COOH) is another carboxylic acid but has additional carbon and hydrogen groups, and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), while also an aldehyde, has an additional methyl group. These structural differences clarify why formaldehyde is the