Science: Organic Chemistry: Functional Groups and Reactions
Identifying common functional groups and predicting basic organic reactions
Science: Organic Chemistry: Functional Groups and Reactions
Identifying common functional groups and predicting basic organic reactions
Chemistry - Grade 9-12
- 1
Identify the functional group in the molecule CH3CH2OH. State the name of the compound class.
Look for an oxygen and hydrogen attached together on the carbon chain.
The functional group in CH3CH2OH is the hydroxyl group, which is -OH. This compound belongs to the alcohol class. - 2
A molecule has the structure CH3COOH. Identify its functional group and name the compound class.
The functional group in CH3COOH is the carboxyl group, written as -COOH. This compound belongs to the carboxylic acid class. - 3
Compare an alkane and an alkene. Describe the key structural difference between these two classes of hydrocarbons.
Focus on the types of bonds between carbon atoms.
An alkane contains only single carbon-carbon bonds, while an alkene contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The double bond makes the alkene more reactive than the alkane. - 4
Identify the functional group present in CH3CHO and name the compound class.
The functional group in CH3CHO is an aldehyde group. This compound belongs to the aldehyde class because it has a carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain. - 5
Identify the functional group present in CH3COCH3 and name the compound class.
Look for a carbon double-bonded to oxygen in the middle of the molecule.
The functional group in CH3COCH3 is a ketone group. This compound belongs to the ketone class because it has a carbonyl group located within the carbon chain. - 6
Ethene reacts with bromine in an addition reaction. Describe what happens to the carbon-carbon double bond during this reaction.
During the addition reaction, the carbon-carbon double bond breaks and forms a single bond. Each carbon then bonds to a bromine atom, producing a dibromoalkane. - 7
Explain the difference between substitution and addition reactions in organic chemistry.
Think about whether something is replaced or added onto a molecule.
In a substitution reaction, one atom or group in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group. In an addition reaction, atoms are added across a double or triple bond so that the multiple bond becomes a single bond. - 8
An alcohol is oxidized to form an aldehyde. Describe one structural change that occurs during this oxidation.
During this oxidation, the alcohol loses hydrogen and gains a stronger bond to oxygen. The carbon attached to the hydroxyl group becomes part of a carbonyl group, forming an aldehyde. - 9
Methanoic acid reacts with ethanol to form an ester and water. Name the type of reaction and identify the two reactant classes.
Esters form when two specific organic classes react and water is produced.
This reaction is called esterification. The reactants are a carboxylic acid, which is methanoic acid, and an alcohol, which is ethanol. - 10
Describe the product formed when an alkane undergoes complete combustion in excess oxygen.
When an alkane undergoes complete combustion in excess oxygen, the products are carbon dioxide and water. This reaction also releases energy as heat and light. - 11
A student tests an unknown organic compound and finds that it rapidly decolorizes bromine water. What does this result suggest about the compound?
Bromine water is often used to test for unsaturation.
This result suggests that the compound is unsaturated and likely contains a carbon-carbon double bond. Alkenes commonly decolorize bromine water because bromine adds across the double bond. - 12
Explain why functional groups are important in organic chemistry.
Functional groups are important because they determine many of a molecule's chemical properties and reactions. Compounds with the same functional group often behave in similar ways, which helps chemists classify and predict reactions.