Functional Groups

Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

• Alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons)

  • Naming: Suffix -ane

  • Structure: Single bonds between carbon atoms

  • General formula: CnH(2n + 2)

• Alkenes (unsaturated hydrocarbons)

  • Naming: Suffix -ene

  • Structure: At least one double bond between carbon atoms

  • General formula: CnH(2n)

• Alkynes (unsaturated hydrocarbons)

  • Naming: Suffix -yne

  • Structure: At least one triple bond between carbon atoms

  • General formula: CnH(2n - 2)

Functional Groups Hallmarks

• Alcohols

  • Functional group: Hydroxyl group (–OH)

  • Naming: Suffix -ol

  • Example: R–OH

• Phenols

  • Structural similarity to alcohols, but with a benzene ring

  • Naming: Suffix -yl benzene

• Thiols

  • Functional group: Sulfhydryl group (–SH)

  • Naming: Suffix -thiol

• Ethers

  • General structure: R–O–R'

  • Naming: -oxy-ane

Carbonyl Compounds

• Aldehydes

  • Functional group: Carbonyl group (C=O) at the end

  • Naming: Suffix -al

• Ketones

  • Functional group: Carbonyl group (C=O) within the carbon chain

  • Naming: Suffix -one

• Carboxylic Acids

  • Functional group: Carboxyl group (–COOH)

  • Naming: Suffix -oic acid

• Esters

  • Formation from carboxylic acid and alcohol

  • Naming: -yl -oate

Nitrogen-Containing Functional Groups

• Amines

  • Functional group: -NH2

  • Naming: Suffix -amine

• Amides

  • Functional group: Carbonyl and amine group (R–C(=O)–NR2)

  • Naming: Suffix -amide

Unit I: Learning Goals

• Understanding and identifying various functional groups in organic molecules

• Knowing the correct nomenclature for different classes of organic compounds

• Ability to categorize compounds based on their structural features and functional groups.