Organic Chemistry 7: Functional groups
If you are following this series, then you will probably have built molecules with these groups in, this article is designed for later study, and suggests to prepare items in advance for building larger, more complex molecules.
One thing I have noticed is that there are a set of core blocks of molecules that are useful, and if using molymods you find yourself building over and over again.
Another reason to 'read ahead' with course materials so you can make notes as you go.
So for example $CH_2$ on its own isn't really anything significant, until you put lots together to from an alkane for example.
Where as $CH_3$ is a Methyl group.
Video shows the functional group chemicals that are listed below. I have used 'post it notes' to illustrate the chemical formula of each.
| Name |
Formulae |
Example |
| Methyl |
$CH_3$ |
Toulene |
| Alcohol |
$OH$ |
Ethanol |
| Carboxylic Acid |
$COOH$ |
Ethanoic Acid |
| Amine |
$NH_3$ |
Nitrobenzene |
So sometimes it is a good idea to have these pre-built so that when you are building larger molecules you have them to hand, during a specific study topic.
As we saw with the Benzene derivatives these functional groups crop up in quite a few places. If you look at long chain molecules such as Pentane, you have a $CH_3$ at both ends with $CH_2$ between them.
Useful when completing assignments, sometimes preparation pays off.
The article here on functional groups may be useful for further reading.
As Hydrocarbon chains also form the basis for many Proteins, amino acids etc, then it is useful, if studying biochemistry to also understand the related functional groups.
This article on Amino Acids may also be useful.
If you need help, then Science Forms has an area for both Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. You may want to find alternative sources to cite than WikiPedia.
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