Functional group
In
organic chemistry functional groups are specific groups of
atoms within
molecules, that are responsible for the characteristic
chemical reactions of those molecules. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of.
The following is a list of common functional groups. In the formulas, the symbols R and R' usually denotes an attached hydrogen, or a
hydrocarbon side chain of any length, but may sometimes refer to any group of atoms. Below is an image of multiple functional groups found in organic chemistry.
Encyclopedia
In
organic chemistry functional groups are specific groups of
atoms within
molecules, that are responsible for the characteristic
chemical reactions of those molecules. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of.
The following is a list of common functional groups. In the formulas, the symbols R and R' usually denotes an attached hydrogen, or a
hydrocarbon side chain of any length, but may sometimes refer to any group of atoms. Below is an image of multiple functional groups found in organic chemistry.
Combining the names of functional groups with the names of the parent
alkanes generates a powerful systematic nomenclature for naming
organic compounds.
The non-hydrogen atoms of functional groups are always associated with each other and with the rest of the molecule by
covalent bonds. When the group of atoms is associated with the rest of the molecule primarily by ionic forces, the group is referred to more properly as a polyatomic ion or
complex ion. And all of these are called radicals, by a meaning of the term
radical that predates the
free radical.
The first
carbon after the
carbon that attaches to the functional group is called the
alpha carbon.
Functional groups are attached to the carbon backbone of organic molecules. They determine the characteristics and chemical reactivity of molecules. Functional groups are far less stable than the carbon backbone and are likely to participate in chemical reactions. Six common biological functional groups are hydrogen, hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate, and methyl.
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