Functional Groups

Functional groups (active sites): are specific groups of atoms

within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic
chemical properties of organic compounds.
The functional groups act as the reactive centers of molecules and
affect the reactions, structure, and physical properties of every
compound in which they occur.
Principle Functional Group: is the highest priority functional
group according to the order of preference.
The principal functional group determines the reactivity of the
chemical reactions of organic compounds and it is used as the
suffix of the compound's name.
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 Functional Groups
* If only a single functional group is present, it becomes the
principle functional group and determines the root name.
* If more than one functional group is found, then the functional
group with higher priority will be the principle functional group and
the others are substituents.
Common Functional Groups:
Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes, Aromatics, Alcohols, Ethers,
Amines, Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amides

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 Common Functional Groups
Alkenes and Alkynes: They have double and triple carbon-carbon
bonds. They are more reactive than alkanes. They undergo addition
reactions.
Aromatics: They possess a unique ring structure that grants them
exceptional stability and distinctive reactivity patterns like benzene.
Alcohols: They are molecules that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group
attached to a carbon atom. They exhibit a range of properties,
including the ability to form hydrogen bonds, which influences
their physical properties and reactivity.

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 Common Functional Groups
Ethers: They share a similar structure to alcohols, but with the
oxygen atom bonded to two carbon atoms instead of one. They are
generally less polar and less reactive than alcohols.
Amines: They are organic compounds that contain a nitrogen atom
bonded to one or more carbon atoms.
Aldehydes and Ketones: They are characterized by the presence of
a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a carbon atom. Aldehydes have
the carbonyl group at the end of a carbon chain, while ketones have
the carbonyl group sandwiched between two carbon atoms.

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 Common Functional Groups
Carboxylic Acids: They possess a carboxyl group (-COOH),
consisting of a carbonyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group. They
are acidic due to the ability to release protons (H+ ions) and are
involved in many biological processes.
Esters: They are formed by the condensation reaction between a
carboxylic acid and an alcohol, resulting in the replacement of the
hydroxyl group of the alcohol with an alkoxy group (-OR). They
are often found in natural fragrances and flavors.
Amides: They are derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the
hydroxyl group with an amino group (-NH2). They are prevalent in
biological molecules, such as proteins and peptides.
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 Types of Functional Groups
A- Functional groups with Multiple Carbon–Carbon Bonds:
-Alkenes have a C-C double bond.
-Alkynes have a C-C triple bond.
-Arenes (or aromatic hydrocarbons) have special bonds that are
represented as alternating single and double C-C bonds.

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 Types of Functional Groups
B- Functional Groups with Single Carbon Bonded to an
Electronegative Atom:
Alkyl halide: C bonded to halogen (C-X)
Alcohol: C bonded O of a hydroxyl group (C-OH)
Ether: Two C’s bonded to the same O (C-O-C)
Amine: C bonded to N (C-N)
Thiol: C bonded to SH group (C-SH)
Sulfide: Two C’s bonded to same S (C-S-C)
Bonds are polar, with partial positive charge on C (+) and partial negative
charge (−) on electronegative atom.
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Types of Functional Groups

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 Types of Functional Groups
C- Functional Groups with a Carbon–Oxygen Double Bond
(Carbonyl Groups):
Aldehyde: one hydrogen bonded to C=O
Ketone: two C’s bonded to the C=O
Carboxylic acid: -OH bonded to the C=O
Ester: C-O bonded to the C=O
Amide: C-N bonded to the C=O
Acid chloride: Cl bonded to the C=O
In carbonyl group, carbon C has partial positive charge (+) and oxygen O has
partial negative charge (−).

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
The IUPAC naming of compounds with functional groups follows the
same general rules of naming with some exception for the existence of
functional groups.

A compound may contain single or multiple functional groups.

If multiple functional groups are present, then the principal functional
group is the highest priority functional group as priorities shown below:
−COOH > −SO𝟑 H > −COOR > −COCl > −CONH𝟐 > −CN > −HC = O > C = O
> OH > SH > NH𝟐 > -C = C- > −C ≡ C−> −R > −OR > −F,Cl,Br,I > −NO𝟐
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IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups

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IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
- Numbering is done on the longest chain and the principal functional
group receives the lowest number. The principle functional group will
get the suffix name.
The name of the functional group is different when it acts as a
prefix (substituent) or suffix.
For instance, the functional group (OH) acts as suffix and prefix below:
-Principal functional group (suffix) – OH
1-
- Substituent (prefix) – Cl
- number of carbons – 5 (pent)
The name is: 4−Chloro−2−pentanol
-Principal functional group (suffix) – COOH
2-
-Substituents (prefix) – OH, Cl (chloro precedes hydroxyl alphabetically).
- number of carbons – 5 (pent).
The name is: 4-Chloro-2-hydroxypentanoic acid Anwer N. Mamdoh
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IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Example 1: What is the IUPAC name of the following compounds:
- Two functional groups
- COOH is principle functional group
- Prefix: −C = O is called ‘oxo’ at C5
- Number of C: 6 (hex)
- Suffix: −COOH thus ‘oic acid’
The name is : 5 - oxohexanoic acid
Example 2: What is the IUPAC name of CH3CH2CH = CHCOOH
- It has 5 −carbon atoms including –COOH group (Pent)
- There are two functional groups: an alkene (C = C) and –COOH group.
−COOH has the highest priority and will get the lowest numbering.

The name is: 2-pentenoic acid

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Example 3: What are the IUPAC names of the following compounds:

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups

Example 4: What are the IUPAC names of the following compounds:

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Example 5: What are the IUPAC names of the following compounds:

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Example 6: Identify and label the functional groups in the compounds below and
order them from highest to lowest.

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Exercise 1: What are the IUPAC names of the following compounds:

Exercise 2: Identify and label all functional groups in these compounds:

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Exercise 3: Identify and label all functional groups in each compound:

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 IUPAC Nomenclature of the Functional Groups
Exercise 4: Name the following compounds in IUPAC nomenclature:

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