What is a common property of aldehydes regarding oxidation?

Aldehydes are well-known for their reactivity due to the presence of the carbonyl group (C=O) at the end of the carbon chain. One of the characteristic behaviors of aldehydes is their ability to undergo oxidation. When oxidized, aldehydes transform into carboxylic acids. This is because the oxidation process involves the conversion of the hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon into a hydroxyl group (-OH), resulting in the formation of a carboxylic acid functional group (-COOH).

The oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry, illustrating the principle that aldehydes, unlike some other functional groups, are readily oxidizable. This property is used frequently in chemical synthesis and laboratory reactions. Understanding this behavior is crucial for students studying organic chemistry and its applications in various fields.