Classification of Organic Compounds

Functional General Formula Functional Group Example

Class
CH3CH2CH2CH3
Alkane CnH2n+2 None
(Butane)

C C H2C CH2
Alkene CnH2n
(Ethylene)

H C C H
Alkyne CnH2n-2 C C (Acetylene)

Alkyl RX C X CH3Br
Halide (Methyl bromide)

Alcohols ROH CH3OH

C OH (Methanol)

Ether ROR’ C O C CH3OCH3

(Dimethyl ether)

Thiol RSH CH3SH

C SH (Methyl thiol)

Sulfide RSR’ C S C CH3SCH3

(Dimethyl sulfide)

Amine RNH2, RNHR’,

RNHR2’ CH3NH2
C N
(methyl amine)

Nitrile RCN CH3C N

(Acetonitrile)
C N

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 Classification of Organic Compounds
(Continuation…)

O O O
Aldehyde
C C C
R H H H H
(Formaldehyde)
O O O
Ketone
C C C
R R C C H3C CH3
(Acetone)
O O
Carboxylic RCOOH
Acid C C
OH H3C OH
(Acetic acid)
O O O
Acid Halide
C C
C H3C Cl
R X X
(Acetyl chloride)
O O O O O O
Acid C C C C C C
anhydride R O R O H3C O CH3
(Acetic anhydride)
O O
Ester RCOOR C
C C
O CH3 OCH2CH3
(Ethyl acetate)
Amides RCONH2, O O
RCONHR,
C C
RCONR2 N CH3 NH2
(Acetamide)

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 Functional Groups in Organic Molecules
1. TAXOL 2. Menthol
O O OH
O O

NH O

O O
O
OH OHO OH
O
O

3. Vitamin A 4.-Carotene

OH

5. Benzo[a]pyrene 6. Ethyl alcohol; .

CH3CH2OH

Glycerol or glycerin

HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OH

7. Tetrahydrocannabinol 8. DDT or 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(p-

chlorophenyl)ethane
OH Cl

Cl
O Cl
Cl Cl
9.Vanillin. 8. Methyl salicylate
O (flavor for wintergreen)
OH

COOCH3
OCH3
OH

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Functional Groups in Organic Molecules (continuation)

11. Diazepam (valium) 12. Dynemecin A

O
NH
CH3
H
COOH
N OH O HN
O

OCH3

OH O

13. N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide 14. Cocaine

O H3C
N O

C N(CH2CH3)2
O

H3C O

15. Nicotine 16. Ascorbic Acid

OH

O O OH
N

CH3
N

HO OH
17. 18.
RCOHN RCOHN
S S

N
N O R'
O
COOH
COOH
Cephalothin R= C4H3SCH2-
Penicillin G R= C6H5CH2- R'=CH3COOCH2-
Penicillin V R=C6H5OCH2- Cephalexin R=C6H5CH(NH2)-
Ampicillin R=C6H5CH(NH2)- R'=CH3-
Amoxycillin R=p-HOC6H4CH(NH2)-
Cefaclor R=C6H5CH(NH2)-
R'=Cl-

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