carbonyl /ˈkɑː(ɹ)bənɪl/ noun2 •A divalent functional group, (-CO-), characteristic of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, amides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, carbonyl halides, esters and others. •Any compound of a metal with carbon monoxide, such as nickel carbonyl, Ni(CO)₄. formscarbonyls