Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry: Recognition and Importance, Lecture notes of Organic Chemistry

Download Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry: Recognition and Importance and more Lecture notes Organic Chemistry in PDF only on Docsity! CH 320M/328M Functional Groups A functional group is a defined grouping of atoms in an organic molecule. A given functional group exhibits a characteristic set of chemical properties, which are largely independent of the rest of the structure of the molecule in which it is found. As a consequence, an understanding of the chemical behavior of the functional groups allows one to predict the reactivity of a wide variety of organic molecules. We will encounter numerous functional groups throughout our study of organic chemistry. A few of the more important ones are listed in the table below (continued on the next page). At this stage, it is most important for you to learn to recognize the general structures associated with these functional groups. In each case, a simple example is provided as an illustration. (Note: A line indicates a single bond to carbon or hydrogen.) Functional Group – General Structure Example Functional Group – General Structure Example C Alkane CH3CH3 Ethane C OH Alcohol CH3CH2OH Ethanol C C Alkene CH2=CH2 Ethylene C O C Ether CH3OCH2CH3 Ethyl methyl ether C C Alkyne C CH H Acetylene C SH Thiol CH3CH2SH Ethanethiol Aromatic Ring (Arene) Benzene C S C Sulfide CH3SCH3 Dimethyl sulfide C X (X = F, Cl, Br, I) Alkyl Halide CH3CH2Br Ethyl bromide C N Amine CH3CH2NH2 Ethylamine