Functional groups
Functional Groups
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction(s) regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of. This allows for systematic prediction of chemical reactions and behavior of chemical compounds and design of chemical syntheses.
Pronunciation
Functional Groups: /ˈfʌŋkʃənəl ˈɡruːps/
Etymology
The term "functional group" was first coined in the field of organic chemistry. The word "functional" is derived from the Latin "functionem", meaning "performance, execution", and the word "group" comes from the Italian "gruppo", meaning "cluster" or "formation".
Related Terms
- Organic Chemistry: The study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds, which contain carbon atoms.
- Molecule: The smallest particle in a chemical element or compound that has the chemical properties of that element or compound.
- Chemical Reaction: A process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.
- Chemical Compound: A chemical substance composed of many identical molecules composed of atoms from more than one element held together by chemical bonds.
- Chemical Synthesis: The process of using two or more atoms (or molecules) to form a product, with the atoms (or molecules) changing their bonding pattern during the process.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Functional groups
- Wikipedia's article - Functional groups
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