Carbonylonium ions: the onium ions of the carbonyl group

The nomenclature of cations (RC)-C-1(=(O+R3))R-2 (R-1,R-2,R-3 = H or organyl) has been examined and shown to be in a state of immeasurable confusion: a pragmatic recommendation is made that the generic term carbonylonium ions should be adopted for these intermediates, which comprises the terms aldehydium (R-1 = H, R-2, R-3 = H or organyl) and ketonium ions (R-1, R-2 = organyl, R-3 =H or organyl) for the corresponding aldehyde-and ketone-based intermediates, respectively.