Functional Groups + Functional Group Levels

Question 1

Functional group level:

Answer 1

The number of bonds to hetero atoms from a given carbon.

Minimum = 0
Maximum = 4

Question 2

Level 1 functional groups

Answer 2

Haloalkanes (-X)
Alcohols (-OH)
Ethers (R-O-R)
Thioethers (R-S-R)
Peroxide (R-O-O-R)
Amines (-NR₁R₂R₃)
Nitro group (-NO₂)

Don’t forget cyclic ethers or epoxides (three membered ring (C₂R₄O))

Question 3

Level 2 functional groups

Answer 3

Multiple haloalkanes
Ketone (R-(C=O)-R)
Aldehyde (R-(C=O)H)
Imine (R-(C=NR)-R)
Oxime (R-C=NOH)-R)
Hydrate
Hemiactal
Acetal

Learn hydrate, hemiacetal and acetal structures via paper flashcards

Question 4

Level 3 functional groups

Answer 4

Multiple haloalkane
Carboxylic acid (-COOH)
Ester (R-COO-R)
Anhydride (R-COOO-R
Acid Chloride (-COCl)
Amide (-CONR₁R₂)
Nitrile (-C≡N)

Note: amides can be primary, secondary, tertiary -the amine group can be attached to 1, 2 or 3 carbons

Question 5

Level 4 functional groups

Answer 5

Carbonate
Carbamate
Urea
Isocyanate

Learn these via paper flashcards

Question 6

An oxidation reaction is…

Answer 6

…an increase in functional group level

Question 7

A reduction reaction is…

Answer 7

… a decrease in functional group level

Question 8

The most highly oxidised functional groups are…

Answer 8

… level 4 functional groups

Question 9

The most highly reduced funcitonal groups are…

Answer 9

…level 1 funcitonal groups

Question 10

All carbon functional groups

Answer 10

Each carbon-carbon pi bond increases functional group number by 1

Alkane - level 0
Alkene - level 1
Alkyne - level 2

Question 11

Reactions that increase / decrease functional group level

Answer 11

Oxidation / Reduction

Question 12

Reactions that do not change functional group level

Answer 12

Substitution / Addition