Funktsionaalrühma

Funktsionaalrühma is a term used in chemistry to describe a specific group of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that molecule. These groups are essentially the reactive sites of organic compounds. The presence and arrangement of functional groups determine a molecule's properties, including its reactivity, polarity, and physical state.

Common examples of functional groups include the hydroxyl group (-OH), which characterizes alcohols; the carboxyl group (-COOH), found in carboxylic acids; the amino group (-NH2), present in amines; and the carbonyl group (C=O), which is part of aldehydes and ketones. Each functional group imparts a distinct set of chemical behaviors to the molecule it is attached to. For instance, molecules containing a hydroxyl group can often participate in hydrogen bonding, affecting their solubility and boiling points.

Understanding functional groups is fundamental to organic chemistry. By recognizing these groups, chemists can predict how a molecule will behave in a reaction and how it will interact with other substances. This knowledge allows for the synthesis of new compounds with desired properties and the explanation of complex chemical processes. The systematic naming of organic compounds, known as nomenclature, also heavily relies on the identification of functional groups.