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🧪

Specific groups of atoms

Recognize and predict behavior of common functional groups in molecules

Chemistry • Organic Chemistry — Functional Groups🚀 Beginner

Learn what functional groups are, how to identify the most common ones, and how they influence molecular properties and reactivity. Interactive examples show structure, naming, and typical reactions.

⏱️
45 minTypical time
📋
3Prerequisites
🎯
4Learning outcomes

📋Prerequisites

  • Basic atomic structure and elements
  • Simple chemical bonding (covalent vs ionic)
  • Reading molecular formulas and structures

🎯What You'll Learn

  • Identify common functional groups by structure and formula
  • Explain how functional groups affect polarity, acidity/basicity, and reactivity
  • Apply basic IUPAC naming rules for simple functionalized molecules
  • Predict typical reactions and transformations associated with specific groups

🔗Related Concepts

prerequisiteChemical Bonding
builds-onOrganic Nomenclature (IUPAC)
builds-onAcid–Base Behavior of Organic Compounds
builds-onSpectroscopy for Functional Group Identification
builds-onBasic Organic Reaction Mechanisms

Common functional groups

  • Hydroxyl (–OH)
  • Carbonyl: Aldehyde (–CHO) and Ketone (C=O)
  • Carboxyl (–COOH)
  • Amino (–NH2)
  • Ether (R–O–R')
  • Ester (R–COOR')
  • Halides (–F, –Cl, –Br, –I)
  • Nitro (–NO2)
  • 🔑Key properties & reactivity

  • Polarity and hydrogen bonding
  • Acidic vs basic behavior
  • Nucleophilicity and electrophilicity
  • Common functional-group interconversions
  • Nomenclature & identification

  • Basic IUPAC endings and prefixes
  • Priority rules when multiple groups present
  • Interpreting condensed and skeletal formulas
  • Using suffixes vs prefixes for naming
  • Visualization & tools

  • 2D structural drawings (skeletal, condensed)
  • 3D molecular viewers (JSmol, Avogadro)
  • Spectroscopic hints (IR peaks for groups)
  • Practice flashcards and identification quizzes
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