Question

what is functional group?

what can be functional group in organic compound?

Answer 1

In organic chemistry, Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that give rise to specific properties and characteristic reactions for those molecules. Same functional group provides similar properties and leads to similar chemical reactions even in different molecules. For eg, the size of chain of carbon atoms will not matter much as compared to the functional group of a molecule in its reaction with other molecules. Atoms of functional groups are linked to each other and to carbon atoms through covalent bonds.

Various functional groups in organic compounds are:

Depending on covalent bond: Alkanes(single bonds), Alkenes(double bonds), Alkynes(triple bonds).

Haloalkanes: containing R-X bond, where X is halogen atom and R is carbon chain.

Alcohol: R-OH

Aldehyde: R- CHO

carboxylic acid: R-COOH

Amines : R- NH2

Thiols: R-SH and so on.

They have fixed naming rules under IUPAC as well, for simpler identification and standardisation.