Functional groups: Detailed explanation

What are function groups?

In organic chemistry, functional groups are one of the most reactive parts of organic compounds and determine the major characteristic of compounds. An organic complex has a backbone (skeleton) of carbon-carbon single bonds with different groupings of atoms, known as functional groups, connected at various locations. C=C, C≡C, and polar bonds from carbon to heteroatoms are more reactive than C-C or C–H bonds, and this is where the chemistry occurs. An organic complex has a backbone (skeleton) of carbon-carbon single bonds with different groupings of atoms, known as functional groups, connected at various locations.

Examples of the Functional groups

The presence of certain functional groups in a molecule has a significant impact on its behavior, reactivity, and interactions with other molecules, resulting in a large diversity of organic compounds found in nature and produced for different purposes. Understanding functional groups is crucial for predicting the characteristics and behavior of organic molecules, as well as designing new chemical procedures and medications. Here are some common functional groups.

Alkanes

Alkanes are the simplest and most stable class of hydrocarbons. They contain only carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen single bonds.

Alkenes

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, they contain a carbon-carbon double bond. The presence of the carbon-carbon double bond makes alkene more reactive than alkanes.

Alkynes

Alkynes are the most reactive among alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes due to the presence of a carbon-carbon triple bond.

Arenes

Arenes, also known as aromatic hydrocarbons, contain a ring of carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds i.e. Benzene.

Alcohols

Alcohols are compounds obtained by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms of aliphatic hydrocarbons with the corresponding number of hydroxyl groups (–OH).

Ethers

Ethers are a class of compounds whose molecules have an oxygen atom bonded to two organic groups. The bivalent oxygen (–O–) is the functional group of ethers.

Amines

Amines are nitrogen-containing organic compounds which may be considered as derivatives of ammonia in which hydrogen atoms have been replaced by alkyl or aryl groups.

Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehydes and ketones form two important classes of organic compounds containing the carbonyl (>C=O) group.

Carboxylic Acids

Organic compounds containing carboxyl group (–COOH) possess sufficient acidic character and are called carboxylic acids. The carboxyl group is made up of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups.

Amides

Amides contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a nitrogen atom(N).

Nitriles

Nitriles contain a cyano group, which consists of a carbon tom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom (C≡N). Nitriles are also known as cyanides.

Nomenclature of Functional Groups

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) created a set of rules for the naming of functional groups in organic chemistry. This rule support in the standardization of organic compound nomenclature, making it simpler to discuss and understand their structures and characteristics.

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