Functional Groups of Organic Compounds Flashcards
Hydroxyl
The hydrogen atom is bonded to an oxygen atom which in turn bonded to the carbon skeleton of the organic molecule
Alcohol
- Is polar as a result of the electronegative oxygen atom drawing electrons towards itself
- Attracts water molecules, helping dissolve organic compounds such as sugars
Carbonyl
The carbonyl group consists of a carbon atom joined to an oxygen atom by a double bond
Ketones-if the carbonyl is within a carbon skeleton
Aldehydes-if the carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon skeleton
- A ketone and an aldehyde may be structural isomers with different properties, as is the case for acetone and propanal
Carboxyl
When an oxygen atom is double bonded to a carbon atom that is also bonded to a hydroxyl group, the entire assembly of atoms is called a carboxyl group
Carboxylic acids, or organic acids
- Has acidic properties because it is a source of hydrogen ions
- The covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is so polar that hydrogen ions tend to dissociate reversibly
- In cells, found in the ionic form, which is also called a carboxlyate group
Amino
The amino group consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and to the carbon skeleton
Amines
- Compounds that are both an amine and a carboxylic acid are amino acids
- Acts as a base; can pick up a proton
- Ionized, with a charge of 1+, under cellular conditions
Sulfhydryl
The sulfhydryl group consists of a sulfur atom bonded to an atom of hydrogen; resembles a hydroxyl group in shape
Thiols
- Two sulfhydryl groups can interact to help stabilize protein structure
Phosphate
In a phosphate group, a phosphorus atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms; one oxygen is bonded to the carbon skeleton; two oxygens carry negative charges. The phosphate group(-OPO3)-2 is an ionized form of a phosphoric acid group (-OPO3H2; note the 2 hydrogens)
Organic phosphates
- Makes the molecule of which it is part an anion
- Can transfer energy between molecules
The hydrogen atom is bonded to an oxygen atom which in turn bonded to the carbon skeleton of the organic molecule
Alcohol
- Is polar as a result of the electronegative oxygen atom drawing electrons towards itself
- Attracts water molecules, helping dissolve organic compounds such as sugars
Hydroxyl
The carbonyl group consists of a carbon atom joined to an oxygen atom by a double bond
Ketones-if the carbonyl is within a carbon skeleton
Aldehydes-if the carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon skeleton
- A ketone and an aldehyde may be structural isomers with different properties, as is the case for acetone and propanal
Carbonyl
When an oxygen atom is double bonded to a carbon atom that is also bonded to a hydroxyl group, the entire assembly of atoms is called a carboxyl group
Carboxylic acids, or organic acids
- Has acidic properties because it is a source of hydrogen ions
- The covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is so polar that hydrogen ions tend to dissociate reversibly
- In cells, found in the ionic form, which is also called a carboxlyate group
Carboxyl
The amino group consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and to the carbon skeleton
Amines
- Compounds that are both an amine and a carboxylic acid are amino acids
- Acts as a base; can pick up a proton
- Ionized, with a charge of 1+, under cellular conditions
Amino
The sulfhydryl group consists of a sulfur atom bonded to an atom of hydrogen; resembles a hydroxyl group in shape
Thiols
- Two sulfhydryl groups can interact to help stabilize protein structure
Sulfhydryl
In a phosphate group, a phosphorus atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms; one oxygen is bonded to the carbon skeleton; two oxygens carry negative charges. The phosphate group(-OPO3)-2 is an ionized form of a phosphoric acid group (-OPO3H2; note the 2 hydrogens)
Organic phosphates
- Makes the molecule of which it is part an anion
- Can transfer energy between molecules
Phosphate
