Biochem: Functional Groups

Biochem Midterm Defintions

Specific group of atoms in a molecule that give it characteristic properties and reactivity.

Functional group (Clue: The “business end” of a molecule)

Organic compound with a hydroxyl (–OH) group on an aliphatic carbon.

Alcohol (Clue: Ends in “-ol” in IUPAC names)

Alcohol where the carbon with –OH is attached to one other carbon.

Primary (1°) alcohol (Clue: OH carbon touches only one carbon)

Alcohol where the carbon with –OH is attached to two other carbons.

Secondary (2°) alcohol (Clue: OH carbon touches two carbons)

Alcohol where the carbon with –OH is attached to three other carbons.

Tertiary (3°) alcohol (Clue: OH carbon touches three carbons)

Rule for naming alcohols in IUPAC.

Longest chain containing –OH, number from OH end, replace “-e” with “-ol”; use -diol/-triol for multiple OH groups (Clue: The OH must be in the main chain)

Example: Active ingredient in alcoholic beverages.

Ethanol (Clue: Common alcohol in drinks)

Compound with an –OH group directly attached to a benzene ring.

Phenol (Clue: Aromatic OH — antiseptic smell)

Main categories of polyphenols in plants.

Flavonoids (~60%), phenolic acids (~30%), polyphenolic amides, other polyphenols (Clue: Include antioxidants like resveratrol)

Class of compounds with oxygen between two alkyl groups.

Ether (Clue: Formula R–O–R’)

IUPAC rule for naming ethers.

Smaller alkyl group named as “alkoxy” + larger chain as parent alkane (Clue: Methoxyethane is an example)

Common names for CH₃–O–CH₃ and CH₃CH₂–O–CH₃.

Dimethyl ether, ethyl methyl ether (Clue: Both are simple ethers)

Uses of ethers.

Solvents, perfumes, oils, waxes, dyes (Clue: Common in fragrances and lab solvents)

Organic functional group with nitrogen bonded to carbons, similar to ammonia.

Amine (Clue: Smells fishy)

Primary amine structure.

R–NH₂ (Clue: One alkyl group on N)

Secondary amine structure.

R₂–NH (Clue: Two alkyl groups on N)

Tertiary amine structure.

R₃–N (Clue: Three alkyl groups on N)

Uses of amines.

Water purification, medicine, pesticides, amino acids, vitamins, neurotransmitters, analgesics (Clue: Morphine and serotonin are amines)

Compound with a C=O group at the end of a carbon chain.

Aldehyde (Clue: Ends in “-al”)

IUPAC rule for naming aldehydes.

Parent chain includes carbonyl carbon, number so C=O is C-1, replace “-e” with “-al” (Clue: No number needed for carbonyl position if it’s at 1)

Example: Aromatic aldehyde found in almonds.

Benzaldehyde (Clue: Smells like almonds)

Compound with a C=O group between two carbons in a chain.

Ketone (Clue: Ends in “-one”)

IUPAC rule for naming ketones.

Parent chain has carbonyl, number so C=O gets lowest possible number, replace “-e” with “-one” (Clue: For cyclic, carbonyl is C-1)

Common uses of ketones.

Solvents, intermediates in chemical synthesis (Clue: Acetone is the simplest ketone)

Compound with both a carbonyl and hydroxyl group on the same carbon atom.

Carboxylic acid (Clue: Ends in “-oic acid”)

IUPAC rule for naming carboxylic acids.

COOH carbon is C-1, replace “-e” with “-oic acid” (Clue: Always starts numbering from COOH end)

Compound with a carbonyl group bonded to an –OR group.

Ester (Clue: Fruity smell)

IUPAC rule for naming esters.

Alkyl group from –OR part + parent chain from acid part, ending in “-oate” (Clue: Example: butyl propanoate)

Example of an ester.

Butyl propanoate (Clue: Smells like pineapple)

Compound with a carbonyl group bonded to nitrogen.

Amide (Clue: Present in proteins (peptide bond))

IUPAC rule for naming amides.

Base name from carboxylic acid, replace “-oic acid” with “-amide”; use N- for nitrogen substituents (Clue: Ethanamide from ethanoic acid)

Examples of amides.

Ethanamide, benzanamide, N-methylethanamide (Clue: N-substitution is named at the start)

Uses of amides.

Structural materials (nylon), drugs (penicillin, LSD, paracetamol) (Clue: Found in many synthetic fibers)