Organic Chemistry: Functional Groups and Acid-Base Properties

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards for organic chemistry functional groups, structures, and their classification as acidic, basic, or neutral.

Alcohol

An organic functional group characterized by a hydroxyl group bound to a carbon chain with the general formula $\text{R-OH}$; it is neutral.

Aldehyde

A functional group consisting of a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom, represented by the formula $\text{R-C}(=\text{O})\text{H}$; it is neutral.

Alkane

A saturated hydrocarbon consisting solely of carbon-carbon single bonds ($\text{C-C}$) with the formula $\text{R-H}$.

Alkene

An unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a double bond between carbon atoms ($\text{C=C}$).

Alkyne

An unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a carbon-carbon triple bond ($\text{C}\equiv\text{C}$).

Alkyl Halide (Halide)

A compound with the formula $\text{R-X}$, where an alkyl group is bonded to a Group VII halogen atom ($\text{X} = \text{F}, \text{Cl}, \text{Br}, \text{I}$).

Amide

A functional group featuring a carbonyl carbon directly bonded to a nitrogen atom, with formula $\text{O=C-NH}_2$ or $\text{R-C}(=\text{O})-\text{N}(\text{R}')(\text{R}'')$; it is neutral.

Amine

A nitrogen-containing organic compound with the general formula $\text{R-C-NH}_2$ or $\text{NR}_3$; it is basic.

Acid Anhydride

A functional group derived from two acyl groups linked by a central bridging oxygen atom ($\text{R-C}(=\text{O})-\text{O}-\text{C}(=\text{O})-\text{R}'$).

Aromatic Compound (Arene)

A planar, cyclic, conjugated ring system characterized by alternating single and double bonds, exemplified by benzene.

Carboxylic Acid

A functional group containing a terminal carbonyl bonded to a hydroxyl group, written as $\text{O=C-OH}$ or $\text{R-COOH}$; it is acidic.

Ester

A functional group that contains an internal $\text{O=C-O-}$ group with general formula $\text{R-C}(=\text{O})\text{OR}'$; it is neutral.

Ether

An organic compound containing an oxygen atom connected by single bonds to two alkyl or aryl groups ($\text{R-O-R}$); it is neutral.

Ketone

A functional group containing an internal carbonyl carbon bonded to two carbon groups with formula $\text{RC}(=\text{O})\text{R}$; it is neutral.

Sulfide (Thioether)

A sulfur analog of an ether in which the central sulfur atom has single bonds to two $\text{R}$ groups ($\text{R-S-R}$).

Thiol (Sulfhydryl)

An organic compound featuring a sulfur atom bonded directly to a hydrogen atom ($\text{R-SH}$).

Thioester

A sulfur-containing analog of an ester consisting of a carbonyl group bonded to a sulfur atom ($\text{R-C}(=\text{O})\text{-SR}'$).

Carbonyl Group

A divalent functional group composed of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom ($\text{C=O}$).

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group consisting of $\text{-OH}$ connected to a carbon atom; when not connected to a carbonyl, it is distinct from a carboxylic acid.

Acid Chloride

An acyl derivative containing a carbonyl group bonded directly to a chlorine atom, represented as $\text{R-C}(=\text{O})\text{Cl}$.

Secondary Imide

An imide functional group in which $\text{R}_1 = \text{H}$, having an ionizable proton on the nitrogen situated between two carbonyls; it is acidic.

Primary and Secondary Sulfonamides

Sulfonamide functional groups containing at least one hydrogen atom bonded to the nitrogen; they are acidic.

Phenol

An aromatic compound containing a hydroxyl group directly bonded to a benzene ring; it is acidic.

Piperidine

A saturated, six-membered heterocyclic secondary amine containing one nitrogen atom; it is basic.

Pyridine

A six-membered aromatic heterocyclic compound containing one nitrogen atom in the ring; it is basic.

Aniline

An aromatic amine consisting of an amino group directly attached to a benzene ring; it is basic.

Cyclohexylamine

An aliphatic primary amine consisting of an amino group bonded to a cyclohexane ring; it is basic.

Pyrrole (Pyrole)

A five-membered aromatic heterocyclic compound with one nitrogen atom in the ring; it is neutral.

Tertiary Imides

Imides in which all three substituents ($\text{R}_1, \text{R}_2, \text{R}_3$) are alkyl groups, leaving no hydrogen on the nitrogen; they are neutral.

Tertiary Sulfonamides

Sulfonamides in which all substituents ($\text{R}^1, \text{R}^2, \text{R}^3$) are alkyl groups, lacking an acidic hydrogen on nitrogen; they are neutral.

Quaternary Ammonium Salt

A salt consisting of a positively charged nitrogen atom bonded to four alkyl or aryl groups accompanied by an anion ($\text{X}^-$); it is neutral.

Protonated Amine

A positively charged nitrogen cation with at least one substituent being hydrogen ($\text{R = H}$); it is acidic.

Benzyl Group

An aromatic substituent fragment consisting of a phenyl ring bonded to a methylene bridge ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_2-$).

Phosphinane

A saturated six-membered phosphorus-containing heterocycle.

Nitro Group

A nitrogen-containing functional group with the formula $-\text{NO}_2$ bonded to an organic substituent.