funktsionaalrühm

Funktsionaalrühm, also known as a functional group, is a specific group of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of that molecule. These groups determine the properties and reactivity of organic compounds. The presence of a particular functional group allows chemists to predict how a molecule will behave in chemical reactions and what types of compounds it can be converted into.

Common examples of functional groups include hydroxyl groups (-OH), which are found in alcohols, carboxyl groups (-COOH), characteristic of carboxylic acids, and amino groups (-NH2), present in amines. Alkenes, with their carbon-carbon double bonds, and alkynes, with their carbon-carbon triple bonds, also represent distinct functional groups. Each functional group has its own unique set of reactions it can undergo. For instance, hydroxyl groups can participate in esterification and oxidation reactions, while carboxyl groups are acidic and can form salts and esters.

The systematic naming of organic compounds, as defined by IUPAC nomenclature, heavily relies on identifying and naming the principal functional groups present. The name of a compound often includes a suffix that indicates the type of functional group it contains. Understanding functional groups is fundamental to organic chemistry, as it provides a framework for organizing and understanding the vast diversity of organic molecules and their transformations.