Definition
The functional group is an atom, or a group of atoms which can replace one or more hydrogen/s in a hydrocarbon. This group when present in organic compounds defines the characteristic physical and chemical properties of that particular family of organic compounds. Thus a functional group is the site of chemical reaction in an organic compound.
Some of the important functional groups that contain oxygen are:
| Organic Compounds - common name | Organic Compounds - IUPAC name | Functional Groups | General Formulae | Explanations | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohols | Alkanols | - OH | ROH (R-alkyl group) | Hydroxy derivatives of alkanes. Obtained by the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by hydroxyl groups | Methanol, ethanol, glycol (dihydric with two OH groups) and glycerol (trihydric with three OH groups) |
