Question

what is the difference between aldehyde and carboxylic acid

Answer 1

Yes they do share similarities. However they aren't similar. Both the aldehyde and carboxylic acid contain the carbonyl stretch group (c=o) Group. More so, they both are terminal functional group. But the key here is to understand that the aldehyde is a functional group with the carbon linked to the oxygen through a double bond (C=O) and that same carbon is connected to a hydrogen atom (C-H) and the rest of the chain, R (R-C).

To understand the properties of the carboxylic acid, you'll need to see the functional group as a whole and not just the carbonyl (C=O) stretch. The carboxylic acid is the entire -COOH group and that same carbon is liked to the rest of the chain, R and so R-COOH.

To sum up you can identify the aldehyde from this general formula R-CHO and the carboxylic acid from this general formula R-COOH, in which R is the rest of the chain or the alkyl/ aryl side chain.

Answer 2

Hi
Aldehyde is a functional group as RCHO
where R is alkyl group i.e ch3 or ch3ch2 and else
however
Carboxylic acid contains RCOOH group
Aldehydes are not much acidic
however Carboxylic acids are strong acids