CSUMB
ESSP 311 Organic Chemistry I
Ronald W. Rinehart, Ph.D.

Functional Groups

There are a large number of alkane and cycloalkane hydrocarbons alone, but the real variety in organic compounds becomes apparent when we consider additional classes of compounds containing new structural features like double and triple bonds and other elements in addition to C and H. Each type of functional group makes distinctive contributions to the physical properties and chemical properties [types of reactions possible] to the molecules which contain it. Compounds containing alkyl groups and one of the functional groups below are assigned to the eponymous class of compound. It is possible for a compound to contain more than one type of functional group.

I note that in Carey's brand-new 5^th edition [CSUMB is presently using the 4^th, MPC the 3^rd edition], this material is presented in the fourth, not the second chapter. I can cut you a little slack on this stuff for now, but you'll have to know it sooner or later -- and sooner is better than later!

Note: the annoying black half-frames which you might be seeing around the images below if you're using Netscape will probably disappear if you use MS Internet Explorer -- only to be replaced by some bogus black lines to the right of the image (sigh!).

CLASS	CHARACTERISTIC GROUP text representation	TYPICAL GROUP STRUCTURE
alkyl halides or haloalkanes	RX, where X = F, Cl, Br, I
alkenes	C=C
alkynes	C ≡C
aromatics	C6H5− ArH
alcohols	ROH
phenols	ArOH
ethers	ROR’
epoxides	take a look à
thiols or mercaptans	RSH
sulfides	RSR’
disulfides	RS-SR”
sulfoxides	RSOR’
sulfones	RSO2R’
sulfonic acids	RSO3H
aldehydes	RCHO or RC(=O)H
ketones	RCOR’ or RC(=O)R’
amines	RNH2, R2NH, R3N
nitro cmpds	RNO2, ArNO2
carboxylic acids	RCO2H
esters	RCO2R’
amides	RCONHR’
nitriles	RCN
acid anhydrides	RC(=O)-O-C(=O)R’
acyl chlorides	RCOCl
heterocyclics alkaloid table	take a look à
© Ronald W. Rinehart, 2002  Structures drawn with MDL IsisDraw™