Functional Groups

Functional Groups are organic compounds that can contain elements other than Carbon and Hydrogen.
A functional group may be a single atom (such as F, Cl, Br, or I), or groups of atoms (such as NO2, NH2).
There are 4 types of functional groups.

• Alcohols
• Halides (halogen) or Nitro
• Aldehydes
• Ketones

Halides and Nitro Compounds

Halogen and Nitro compounds can be attached to all alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. 

The main chain name will receive one of the following prefixes if the appropriate group is attached.

Fluorine -> Fluoro

Chlorine -> Chloro 

Bromine -> Bromo

Iodine -> Iodo

...and so on. As you can see you just replace the "-ine" with "-o". 

Properties of Halogenated Compounds

1. Compounds containing F, Cl, Br, and I are generally insoluble in water.
2. Fluorinated hydrocarbons are unreactive.
3. Compounds containing Cl or Br are more reactive, but only in drastic conditions.
4. Compounds containing I are extremely reactive. 

Properties of Nitro Compounds 

1. Normally insoluble in water.
2. Unreactive to chemical attack, except under drastic conditions.
3. Tend to be explosive.
4. Generally have a pleasant odor. 

Alcohol

Alcohol is an organic compound that contains an -OH (hydroxyl) functional group. 

Alcohols are named by using the longest carbon chain containing the OH group, and replacing the "-E" ending in the parent hydrocarbon chain with the ending "-OL".

Properties of Alcohols

1. Soluble in water, but hydrocarbon chain tends to be insoluble in water.
2. All alcohols are poisonous in some degree. 

What happens if there's more than one OH? 

If a compound has more than one -OH group, number both and add the prefix ending. "-diol", "-triol", etc. 

Check out this video that sort of explains alcohols in a catchy rap.
Alcohol Rap

Aldehydes 

An Aldehyde is a compound that has a double bonded oxygen at the end of a chain. 

Change the parent chain ending to "-al". Be careful! Don't confuse this with alcohol! 

Here's a quick video on aldehydes.

Aldehydes

Ketones

Ketones are hydrocarbon chains with double bonded oxygen that is NOT on either end.

Add "-one" to the parent chain.

Properties of Aldehydes and Ketones

1. Both partially soluble in water.
2. Aldehydes are very reactive.
3. Ketones are relatively unreactive. 

Here's another video, this time on Ketones 

And finally, the last video I'm going to show you is a video on ALL functional groups!

Functional Groups