Is camphor an aldehyde

Answer 1

Camphor is a ketone.

It is the oxidation product of borneol, which is a secondary alcohol. Primary alcohols when they are oxidized can either produce carboxylic acids or aldehydes. However, since borneol is secondary, it cannot be oxidized to produce an aldehyde or carboxylic acid.

Secondary alcohols, on the other hand, will produce ketones. Since borneol is a secondary alcohol, it cannot be oxidized to make an aldehyde which means that camphor must be a ketone.

Here is a link to the reaction that I'm talking about:
http://img41.imageshack.us/i/primaryohoxidat2.png/

Hope that answers your question.

Answer 2

No, it is a ketone.