Functional Groups and Organic Chemistry Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering organic chemistry functional groups and structural terminology based on the lecture notes.

R

A symbol representing a carbon substituent.

Alkane

A hydrocarbon substituent characterized by the suffix -alkyl.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon containing a $C=C$ double bond, characterized by the suffix -alkenyl.

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon containing a $R-C \biguplus C-H$ triple bond, characterized by the suffix -alkynyl.

Benzene ring

A functional group characterized by the suffix -phenyl.

Amine

A functional group with the formula $RN(H,R)_2$ and the suffix -amino.

Alcohol

A functional group containing a hydroxy group ($-OH$).

Ether

A functional group characterized by the suffix -alkoxy.

Alkyl halide

A group consisting of a carbon substituent bonded to a halogen, represented as $RF$, $R-Cl$, $R-Br$, or $R-I$.

Thiol

A functional group containing a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen ($-SH$).

Aldehyde

A functional group featuring a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom.

Ketone

A functional group featuring a carbonyl group bonded to two carbon substituents ($R^1$ and $R^2$).

Ester

A functional group featuring a carbonyl group bonded to an $OR$ group.

Carboxylic acid

A functional group featuring a carbonyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group ($-OH$).

Amide

A functional group featuring a carbonyl group bonded to a nitrogen group ($N(H,R)_2$).

Nitrile

A functional group with the formula $R-C \biguplus N:$ and the suffix -cyano.

Epoxide

A cyclic ether consisting of a three-atom ring.

Imine

A functional group featuring a carbon-nitrogen double bond.

Acid chloride

A functional group featuring a carbonyl group bonded to a chlorine atom.

Azide

A functional group with the structure $R-N=N=N:$.

Anhydride

A functional group consisting of two acyl groups joined by an oxygen atom.

Nitro

A functional group with the structure $R-NO_2$.

Sulfide

A functional group also referred to as a thioether.

Hydrocarbon

A compound that contains $C$ and $H$ only, such as an alkane, alkene, alkyne, or benzene.

Arene/aryl

A terminology used for compounds containing a benzene ring.

Aliphatic

A term describing a structure that does not have an aromatic ring.

Aromatic

A term describing a structure that contains an aromatic ring, such as an aryl group (benzene).

Carbonyl group

The $C=O$ group, which is found in ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters, and other functional groups.