Download H1- Functional Groups Theory Sheet Alcohol An alcohol group

H1- Functional Groups Theory Sheet
A functional group is a specific group of atoms or bonds that form part of an organic molecule.
A certain type of functional group will undergo similar chemical reactions even when attached
to different sized molecules; however neighbouring groups may affect this reactivity.
A molecule can have multiple functional groups which lead to its overall properties.
Alkane
Alkanes are the simplest type
of functional group. They
contain only carbon and
hydrogen atoms joined with
single covalent bonds.
Alkene
Alkenes contain carbon to carbon double
bonds (C=C). They contain a -bond caused by
the overlap of p-orbitals.
Alcohol
Halogenoalkane (haloalkane)
Halogenoalkanes have
halogens (F, Cl, Br, I)
replacing one or more H
atoms in an alkane.
Aldehydes and Ketones
An alcohol group contains an oxygen with a
single bond to a hydrogen. One or more of the
H atoms in the alkane is replaced by an OH.
Alcohols can be primary secondary or tertiary,
depending on how many other carbons are
attached to the carbon with the alcohol group:
(1C = Primary; 2C = Secondary; 3C = Tertiary)
Carboxylic Acid
Aldehydes and ketones both
contain the carbonyl group
(a C=O double bond).
Aldehydes have a hydrogen
atom attached to one side of
the carbonyl carbon but
ketones have two carbon
groups (alkyl or aromatic).
Carboxylic acids contain a
carbonyl group (C=O) similar
to an aldehyde but with a OH
group instead of a hydrogen.
TOP TIP! Be careful when
assigning aldehyde, ketone or
carboxylic acid groups! Make
sure you look at the groups
attached to the carbonyl as
this will distinguish the
functional group.
www.flickr.com/photos
Produced by Steven Carman at Newcastle University as part of an MChem project.
Ester
H1- Functional Groups Theory Sheet
Extension functional groups
Acid Chloride (Acyl Chloride)
Acid chlorides are carbonyl
groups (C=O) with a Cl atom
attached. They are moisture
sensitive and very reactive.
Ester groups are often prepared by the
reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol.
It is similar to a carboxylic acid with the H
atom (on the OH) replaced by an alkyl group.
Acid Anhydride
Amides
An acid anhydride is a
group containing two
carbonyl groups linked
by a single oxygen.
Imagine two carboxylic
acids attached by the
OH groups with the loss
of an H2O molecule.
Amides are carbonyl
groups attached to
NH2 (amine) groups.
N-substituted amides
also occur where the
nitrogen can have
alkyl groups instead
of the H atoms.
Amines
Amines are derivatives of
ammonia, NH3, with one or
more H atoms replaced by a
an alkyl or aryl group. They
are also classified as primary
(1C), secondary (2C) or
tertiary (3C) depending on
how many carbons are
attached to the N atom.
The previous examples are all aliphatic (or alkyl),
meaning that they are not attached to a benzene
or arene/aryl ring. If these functional groups are
attached to a benzene/arene ring they are known
as aromatic. In the green box below, there are
examples of specific aromatic functional groups.
Aromatic Functional Groups
Arenes (benzene/phenyl)
Aryl Halides
Phenols
Aromatic hydrocarbons with
delocalised electrons (more
detail in aromatic sheets)
Arenes/aromatics with
halogens substituted for H in
one or multiple positions.
Arenes with OH groups
substituted for H atoms,
leading to unusual reactivity.
Produced by Steven Carman at Newcastle University as part of an MChem project.