Organic Chemistry I - Functional Groups

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons

molecules that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms

alkanes (and cycloalkanes)

contain only single bonds between carbon atoms

-are not considered functional groups by most organic chemists because they are very limited in their reactivity

-instead, they are looked upon as the backbone onto which other functional groups are attached

alkenes

consists of a double bond between carbon atoms

alkynes

consists of a triple bond between carbon atoms

aromatic or aryl groups

the most common of these is a phenyl ring structure

-usually a benzene ring with an R group attached

alcohol

R-OH

ether

R-O-R

thiol

R-SH

alkyl halide (note C must be sp³)

R-X

(X = Cl, Br, or I)

primary (1°) amine

R-NH₂

secondary (2°) amine

R₂-NH

tertiary (3°) amine

R₃-N

aldehyde

double bonded oxygen attached to an R group and a hydrogen

ketone

double bonded oxygen attached to two separate R groups

acid chloride

double bonded oxygen attached to an R group and a Cl

anhydride

(from left to right)

R group attached to a double-bonded oxygen, connected to a single oxygen, connected to another double-bonded oxygen, attached to an R group

carboxylic acids

R group attached to a double-bonded oxygen attached to an OH

esters

R group attached to a double-bonded oxygen attached to another oxygen attached to an R group

primary (1°) amides

secondary (2°) amides

tertiary (3°) amides

nitriles

contain a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen atoms

primary (1°) carbon atom

attached to one other carbon atom

secondary (2°) carbon atom

attached to two other carbon atoms

tertiary (3°) carbon atom

attached to three other carbon atoms

quaternary (4°) carbon atom

attached to four other carbon atoms

primary (1°) alcohol

a carbon atom with an alcohol and one R group attached

secondary (2°) alcohol

a carbon atom with an alcohol and two R groups attached

tertiary (3°) alcohol

a carbon atom with an alcohol and three R groups attached

primary (1°) alkyl halides

a carbon atom attached to an X and one R group

(X = Cl, Br, or I)

secondary (2°) alkyl halides

a carbon atom attached to an X and two R groups

(X = Cl, Br, or I)

tertiary (3°) alkyl halides

a carbon atom attached to an X and three R groups

(X = Cl, Br, or I)