Biological

Chemistry
Session 4

Squamish
The Chief

Functional Groups in
Organic Compounds
v

Most organic compounds are chains or rings of carbon

and hydrogen
What makes organic molecules different from each
other are their functional groups
R is a general symbol used to represent the
functional group (also known as a radical group)

1. Alcohols
l

General formula:

Group called hydroxyl group

General name: ends in ol

OH group is polar (.:water soluble)

Can have more than one OH group

Examples:

OH

v ethanol (drinking alcohol), cholesterol, glycerol

l

Many are toxic

v eg. methanol (wood alcohol), can cause blindness

2. Aldehydes
l

General formula:

General name: ends in al

The C = O group is called the carbonyl group

v

CHO

Polar (.:water soluble)

Examples:
v formaldehyde (methanal): embalming fluid
v acetaldehyde (ethanal): smog

3. Ketones
l

General formula:

General name: ends in one

Polar carbonyl group water soluble

Often used as solvents

Examples:
v

Acetone

Cortisone

Progesterone

(on board)

4. Organic Acids/
Carboxylic Acids
l
l
l
l
l
l
l

General formula: COOH

General name: ends in (o)ic acid
Called carboxyl group
Acidic: RCOOH RCOO- + H+
If chain is short water soluble
If have long hydrocarbon chains fatty acids
Examples:
v

acetic acid, vinegar

formic acid, ant/bee stings

5. Amines
l

General formula:

Group is called amino group

General name: ends in amine

Water soluble

Weak bases: R-NH2 + H+ R-NH3+

Example:
v

amino acid

NH2

6. Ethers
l

General formula:

General name: ends in ether

Examples:
v

diethyl ether, decongestant

7. Esters
l

General formula: (on board)

General name: ends in (o)ate

Responsible for flavour/odor of many foods

Fats and oils are esters

Examples:
v

ethyl formate, rum

pentyl acetate, banana

octyl acetate, orange

Chemical Food
Artificial Strawberry Flavour

Source: Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser, page 125-126

8. Amides
l

General formula: (see board)

General name: ends in amide

Examples:
v

eg. proteins and nylon

9. Sulfhydryls
l

General formula:

Group called thiol group

General name: ends in thiol

Small thiols produce foul odors

Examples:

SH

butenethiol: skunks

propanethiol: onions/garlic

10. Disulfides
l

General formula:

Thiols in proteins form disulfide bridges

Important in determining the characteristic shape of

proteins

11. Phosphates
l

General formula: (see board diagram)

Group called phosphate group

Present in ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

 Assignment #3
Work on it for remainder of class
Hand in today if done
Hand in next class if need more
time
Homework
Review Chapter 10
Next class
Chapters 12, 13, 14