The good news is that you’ve already learned a lot of functional group names without trying too hard. In the beginning of the course, being presented with a list of 20-25 functional groups to remember might seem like a lot. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s at least a good start. Note that “ R” is a placeholder for a generic carbon substituent.Ī second group of slightly less commonly encountered functional groups are here. Here are some of the most commonly encountered functional groups. (Advanced) References and Further ReadingĪ functional group is what we call specific groupings of certain atoms within molecules that have their own characteristic properties.Miscellaneous: Epoxides, Thioethers, Nitro, Imine, Azide.Amides, Acid Halides, Anhydrides, Nitriles.Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, and Esters.Alcohols, Ethers, Amines, Thiols, Alkyl Halides.Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Rings.You’ll meet others, too – this is just a selection of the most common. In a typical sophomore organic chemistry course, there are about 15 key functional groups, with another group of 10 or so that make consistent appearances.Common examples of functional groups are alcohols, alkenes, alkynes, amines, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and ethers, among others.Functional groups are specific groupings of atoms within molecules that have their own characteristic properties, regardless of the other atoms present in a molecule.

Periodic table groups names chemistry