Functional Groups of Organic Compounds Flashcards
(12 cards)
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
