Aldehydes and ketones are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O). Aldehydes have the carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain, while ketones have it within the chain. These compounds undergo various reactions, including nucleophilic addition, where nucleophiles attack the carbonyl carbon, leading to the formation of alcohols or other functional groups. Another important reaction is the oxidation of aldehydes to form carboxylic acids, while ketones are generally resistant to oxidation. Additionally, both aldehydes and ketones can participate in condensation reactions, forming larger molecules like aldol products. These reactions are fundamental in organic chemistry and are widely used in synthesis.