Similarly, a functional group can be referred to as primary, secondary, or tertiary, depending on if it is attached to one, two, or three carbon atoms.Ĭlassification of alcohols: Alcohols are a common functional group (-OH). The first carbon atom that attaches to the functional group is referred to as the alpha carbon the second, the beta carbon the third, the gamma carbon, etc.
![aldehyde functional group aldehyde functional group](https://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/virttxtjml/Images2/aknatprd.gif)
The atoms of a functional group are linked together and to the rest of the compound by covalent bonds. Functional groups also play an important part in organic compound nomenclature combining the names of the functional groups with the names of the parent alkanes provides a way to distinguish compounds. The same functional group will behave in a similar fashion, by undergoing similar reactions, regardless of the compound of which it is a part. In organic chemistry, a functional group is a specific group of atoms or bonds within a compound that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that compound. functionalization: Addition of specific functional groups to afford the compound new, desirable properties.functional group: A specific grouping of elements that is characteristic of a class of compounds, and determines some properties and reactions of that class.Functional groups can be used to distinguish similar compounds from each other.
![aldehyde functional group aldehyde functional group](https://image1.slideserve.com/2948692/aldehyde-and-ketone-functional-group1-n.jpg)
Functional groups will undergo the same type of reactions regardless of the compound of which they are a part however, the presence of certain functional groups within close proximity can limit reactivity.Functional groups are often used to "functionalize" a compound, affording it different physical and chemical properties than it would have in its original form.