June 1st

 Today, we'll be looking at some MORE groups -

FUNCTIONAL groups, that is! Functional groups are bunches of particles that exhibit the same characteristics in reactions.

The four main ones we'll be looking at are:

• HALIDES/ NITRO COMPOUNDS
• ALCOHOLS
• ALDEHYDES
• KEYTONES

HALIDES/ NITRO COMPOUNDS

Let's start with halides and nitro compounds.

Some characteristics: nitro compounds tend to be insoluble in water. Nitro compounds are quite unreactive, generally speaking. However, sometimes they can react, and the result can be literally "explosive". An example would be TNT - yes, the stuff you see on the Bugs Bunny show. Nitro compounds also tend to smell nice - how lovely.
Halides can also considered to be insoluble in water. Teflon, a halide compound, tends not to react with other chemicals, while iodine can produce a bigger reaction.


Naming: find the main chain name, and add the following prefixes:


F=fluoro

Cl= chloro

Br= bromo

I= iodo

NO2= nitro

ALCOHOLS

Some characteristics: alcohols tend to have a high boiling point. The solubility of alcohols depends on the chains that make it up. The longer and more complicated the chain, the more insoluble it is. Alcohols tend to be liquids at room temperature.

Naming: naming alcohols is easy. Find the longest main chain with the OH group, and drop the "e" off at the end. Add on an "ol".

ALDEHYDES AND KEYTONES

Some characteristics: aldehydes, like alcohols, differ in solubility. Smaller aldehydes are more soluble in water, while more complicated forms are not. Aldehydes are a reactive group. Keytones, on the other hand, are not as reactive. Keytones are partially soluble in water.


Naming: for aldehydes, drop the "e" of the parent chain and add "al". For keytones, drop the "e" and add "one".