Bettina Rose L.

Gallardo

X – Einstein

ASSIGNMENT IN CHEMISTRY
 What is a Functional Group?

A functional group is a portion of a molecule that is a recognizable/classified group of bound atoms. In

organic chemistry it is very common to see molecules comprised mainly of a carbon backbone with
functional groups attached to the chain. The functional group gives the molecule its properties,
regardless of what molecule contains it*; they are centers of chemical reactivity. The functional groups
within a molecule need to be identified when naming.

Alcohols & Ethers: Nomenclature

Simple alcohols are named as derivatives of the parent alkane, using the suffix -ol, using the
following simple rules:

1. Select the longest continuous carbon chain, containing the hydroxyl group, and derive the
parent name by replacing the -e ending with -ol.
2. Number the carbon chain, beginning at the end nearest to the hydroxyl group.
3. Number the substituents and write the name, listing substituents alphabetically.

Simple ethers are named either by identifying the two organic residues and adding the word
ether, or, if other functionality is present, the ether residue is named as an alkoxy substituent, as
shown below:

Aldehydes & Ketones: Nomenclature

Simple aldehydes and ketones are named using the standard rules of nomenclature which we have
used in the past with the following specific changes:

1. Aldehydes are named by replacing the terminal -e of the parent alkane with the suffix -al;
the suffix for ketones is -one.
2. The parent chain selected must contain the carbonyl group.
3. Number the carbon chain, beginning at the end nearest to the carbonyl group.
4. Number the substituents and write the name, listing substituents alphabetically.

5. When an aldehyde is a substituent on a ring, it is referred to as a -carbaldehyde group.

6. When the -COR group becomes a substituent on another chain, it is referred to as an acyl
group and the name is formed using the suffix -yl.
 7. When the carbonyl group becomes a substituent on another chain, it is referred to as an
oxo group.

Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acids

Simple carboxylic acids are named as derivatives of the parent alkane, using the
suffix -oic acid

1. Select the longest continuous carbon chain, containing the carboxylic acid group,
and derive the parent name by replacing the -e ending with -oic acid.
2. Number the carbon chain, beginning at the end nearest to the carboxylic acid
group.
3. Number the substituents and write the name, listing substituents alphabetically.
4. Carboxylic acid substituents attached to rings are named using the suffix -
carboxylic acid.

Nomenclature of Aliphatic Amines

Simple amines are named as derivatives of the parent alkane, using the suffix -amine, or by using -
amino to name a numbered substituent, using the following rules:

1. Select the longest continuous carbon chain, containing the amino group, and derive the
parent name by replacing the -e ending with -amine, or by naming the nitrogen as
an amino substituent. Number the carbon chain, beginning at the end nearest to the
amino group, or, to give the lowest number at the first point of difference.
2. Number the substituents and write the name, listing substituents alphabetically.

Thus for the following example, you would number from the end closest to the nitrogen,
generating the names, 3-methylpentanamine (or 1-amino-3-methylpentane) and 5-methyl-2-
hexanamine (or 2-amino-5-methyl-2-hexane), respectively.