formüülrühmast
A functional group, or formüülrühm in Estonian, is 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, dictating how a molecule will behave in various chemical processes. Different functional groups confer different properties and reactivity. For example, the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) indicates an alcohol, which typically undergoes oxidation reactions and can form hydrogen bonds. A carbonyl group (C=O) is found in aldehydes and ketones, known for their susceptibility to nucleophilic addition. Alkenes, characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C), readily undergo addition reactions. The systematic naming of organic compounds, according to IUPAC nomenclature, heavily relies on identifying and naming the functional groups present. Understanding functional groups is fundamental to comprehending organic chemistry, enabling predictions about reactivity, synthesis strategies, and the properties of countless organic substances. The diversity of functional groups is vast, and each plays a crucial role in the structure and function of organic molecules.