Functional Groups: Definition
Functional Groups: Definition
Functional Groups: Definition
Definition: A functional group is an atom or group of atoms in a molecule that gives the molecule its
characteristics chemical properties.
Several transformation of organic molecules are carried out. In most cases the change will occur at
one spot in the original molecule. That spot is called a functional group.
The functional group is an action group of the molecule. The hydrocarbon portion remains inert.
Example: Single bond, double bond, triple bond, -OH, -Cl, -Br, NH2 groups etc.
Importance: The concept of functional group is important to organic chemistry for three reason:
1) Functional group serve as basis for nomenclature of organic compound.
2) Functional group serve to classify organic compounds into families.
3) All compounds having same functional group count in a same family.
4) A functional group is a site of chemical reactivity in a molecule.
Following is the list of some functional groups;
1) Alkanes:
The ‘default’ in organic chemistry (essentially, the lack of any functional groups) is given the
term alkane, characterized by single bonds between carbon and carbon, or between carbon and
hydrogen.
Example: Methane, CH4, is the natural gas you may burn in your furnace. Octane, C8H18, is a
component of gasoline.
Example:
Ethene is the simplest example of alkene.
Ethyne is the simplest example of alkyne functional group.
3) Aromatics:
The aromatic group is exemplified by benzene (which used to be a commonly used solvent on the
organic lab, but which was shown to be carcinogenic).
Example: naphthalene, a compound with a distinctive ‘mothball’ smell. Aromatic groups are planar
(flat) ring structures, and are widespread in nature.
4) Alkyl Halides:
When the carbon of an alkane is bonded to one or more halogens, the group is referred to as an alkyl
halide or haloalkane.
Example: Chloroform, Chlorodifluoromethane, Bromoethane etc are simple alkyl halide often used
in organic synthesis. Alkyl halides groups are quite rare in biomolecules.
Note that the definition of a phenol states that the hydroxyl oxygen must be directly attached to
one of the carbons of the aromatic ring. The compound below, therefore, is not a phenol – it is a
primary alcohol.
The distinction is important, because as we will see later, there is a significant difference in the
reactivity of alcohols and phenols
8) Aldehydes and Ketones
There are a number of functional groups that contain a carbon-oxygen double bond, which is
commonly referred to as a carbonyl.
Ketones and aldehydes are two closely related carbonyl-based functional groups that react in
very similar ways.
Ketone: In a ketone, the carbon atom of a carbonyl is bonded to two other carbons.
Aldehyde: In an aldehyde, the carbonyl carbon is bonded on one side to a hydrogen, and on
the other side to a carbon. The exception to this definition is formaldehyde, in which the
carbonyl carbon has bonds to two hydrogens.
Example: Examples of ketone is (acetone) and aldehyde is acetaldehyde.