Functional Groups

List and definitions of different types of functional groups.

Functional Groups

Functional Groups

A group of atoms affecting the chemical reactions of the organic molecule.

Hydroxyl

Composed of hydroxide (OH) at the end of a molecule. Compounds with this have a suffix “-ol”.

Carbonyl

Composed of a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen atom. Can be aldehydes or ketones.

Aldehydes

A compound where the carbonyl is attached to a carbon atom at the end of a carbon chain (typically connected to hydrogen). Has the suffix “-al”.

Ketones

A compound where carbonyl group is attached to a carbon atom within the carbon chain. Has the suffix, “-one”.

Carboxyl

Composed of a carbon double-bonded to oxygen, and single-bonded to hydroxide. Has the suffix “-ic”.

Ester

Composed of a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen, a single-bonded to another oxygen, within the carbon chain. Has the suffix, “-oate”.

Amino

A nitrogen atom single-bonded to 2 hydrogen atoms, at the end of a carbon chain. Has the suffix, “-amine”.

Sulfhydryl

Composed of a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, has the suffix, “-thiol”.

Phosphate

Composed of a phosphorus atom bonded to 4 oxygen atoms, one of them being double-bonded. Often known as PO4.