functional groups

Alkane

Only C-C and C-H single bonds; no pi bonds.

Alkene

Contains a C=C double bond.

Alkyne

Contains a C≡C triple bond.

Aromatic ring

Benzene-type ring with alternating pi bonds.

Alcohol

R-OH; oxygen bonded to hydrogen and carbon.

Ether

R-O-R; oxygen between two carbon groups.

Aldehyde

R-C(=O)H; carbonyl carbon bonded to at least one H.

Ketone

R-C(=O)-R; carbonyl carbon bonded to two carbon groups.

Carboxylic acid

R-C(=O)OH; carbonyl plus OH on the same carbon.

Ester

R-C(=O)-O-R; carbonyl directly attached to an O that is attached to another carbon.

Amine

Nitrogen-containing group with N not directly attached to a carbonyl.

Primary amine

R-NH2

Secondary amine

R2NH

Tertiary amine

R3N

Amide

Nitrogen directly attached to a carbonyl; C(=O)-N.

Primary amide

R-C(=O)-NH2

Secondary amide

R-C(=O)-NHR

Tertiary amide

R-C(=O)-NR2

Nitrile

R-C≡N

Acid chloride

R-C(=O)Cl

Anhydride

R-C(=O)-O-C(=O)-R

Carbonyl group

C=O

Hydroxyl group

O-H

Alkoxy group

R-O-

Amino group

Nitrogen-containing group such as -NH2, -NHR, or -NR2

Vinyl group

Carbon directly involved in a C=C bond.

Allylic position

Carbon directly next to a C=C double bond.

Benzylic position

Carbon directly next to a benzene ring.

Alpha to carbonyl

Carbon directly next to a C=O group.

Alpha to oxygen

Carbon directly attached to oxygen.

How do you distinguish an aldehyde from a ketone?

Aldehyde has a carbonyl carbon bonded to H; ketone has carbonyl carbon bonded to two carbons.

How do you distinguish an amine from an amide?

Amide has N directly attached to C=O; amine does not.

How do you distinguish an alcohol from an ether?

Alcohol has O-H; ether has C-O-C and no O-H.

How do you distinguish a carboxylic acid from an ester?

Carboxylic acid has C(=O)OH; ester has C(=O)OR.

How do you distinguish a ketone from an ester?

Ketone is C(=O) between carbons; ester is C(=O)-O-R.

What functional groups contain a carbonyl?

Aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, ester, amide, acid chloride, anhydride.

What functional groups contain oxygen but no carbonyl?

Alcohol and ether.

What functional groups contain nitrogen?

Amine, amide, nitrile.

What functional group contains C≡N?

Nitrile.

What functional group contains C=O and N?

Amide.

What functional group contains C=O and Cl?

Acid chloride.

What functional group contains two carbonyls separated by O?

Anhydride.

What functional group contains C=O and OH on the same carbon?

Carboxylic acid.

What functional group contains C=O and OR?

Ester.

What functional group contains C=O and H?

Aldehyde.

What functional group contains C=O between two carbon groups?

Ketone.