Functional Groups of Organic Compounds Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key organic functional groups, general formulas, physical properties, and specific compound applications from the Grade 11 Chemistry material.

Functional group

A structure feature consisting of an atom or group of atoms in a larger molecule that determines the characteristic chemical behavior, properties, and reactivity of an organic compound.

Friedrich Wohler

The scientist who in 1928 synthesized urea (an organic compound) from ammonium cyanate (an inorganic compound), dispelling the belief that organic compounds could only be formed by nature.

Alcohol

An organic compound that contains one or more hydroxyl groups ($\text{-OH}$).

Hydroxyl group

The functional group $\text{-O-H}$ composed of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom, characteristic of alcohols.

Methanol

The simplest alcohol, which is highly toxic and causes blindness.

Ethanol

A common alcohol (ethyl alcohol) used as a solvent, starting material, and disinfectant that effectively kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Isopropyl alcohol

An isomer of ethanol that is commonly referred to as rubbing alcohol.

Carbonyl group

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

Aldehyde

An organic compound containing a carbonyl group linked to one carbon atom and one hydrogen atom, represented by the general formula $RCHO$.

Ketone

An organic compound containing a carbonyl group linked to two carbon atoms, represented by the general formula $RCOR'$.

Formaldehyde

A common aldehyde whose aqueous solution is used in the laboratory to preserve animal specimens.

Acetone

A common ketone used as a solvent for organic compounds and as a nail polish remover.

Carboxylic acid

An organic compound containing a carboxyl group ($\text{-COOH}$) that can donate the proton of its hydroxyl group in chemical reactions.

Carboxyl group

The acidic functional group $\text{-COOH}$ present in carboxylic acids.

Methanoic acid

A carboxylic acid used in disinfecting hides and in the brewing industry due to its germicidal properties.

Acetic acid

A carboxylic acid (ethanoic acid) present in vinegar, widely used as a solvent for organic and inorganic compounds.

Butyric acid

A carboxylic acid (butanoic acid) used to prepare butyrate esters and coatings that are more resistant to degradation than cellulose acetate.

Ester

A polar organic compound with the general formula $RCOOR'$ that lacks a hydrogen atom attached directly to an oxygen atom, widely used for fragrances and flavorings.

3-methylbutyl acetate

An ester responsible for the characteristic odor of bananas.

Octyl acetate

An ester present in oranges that contributes to their scent.

Amide

A functional group in which a carbonyl carbon atom is linked by a single bond to a nitrogen atom and either a hydrogen or carbon atom, with the general formula $RCONR'R''$.

Acetamide

The simplest amide (ethanamide) derived from acetic acid, used as a plasticizer and industrial solvent.

Dimethylformamide

A clear liquid amide (commonly called DMF) that is miscible with water and used as a solvent for chemical reactions.

Urea

A crystalline amide compound formed as the end product of protein metabolism and excreted in mammal urine, commonly used in fertilizers and animal feed.

Amine

An organic base containing an amino ($\text{-NH}_2$) functional group, represented by the general formula $RNR'R''$.

Ethanol amine

An amine that serves as an effective emulsifying agent used in dry cleaning.

Dimethylamine

An amine compound used in the compounding of rubber accelerators.

Aniline

An aromatic amine and solvent used in dyes, indicators, photographic developers, and medicinal products.