Question

Explain the concept of heteroatoms with the help of examples.

Answer 1

1. Many carbon compounds are formed in which atoms of elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, halogens, etc., substitute one or more hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.
2. The atom of an element other than carbon and hydrogen which replaces one or more hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon chain is called a heteroatom.
3. The compound acquires specific chemical properties due to these hetero atoms or the groups of atoms that contain heteroatoms, irrespective of the length and nature of the carbon chain in that compound. Therefore, these hetero atoms or the groups of atoms containing hetero atoms are called functional groups.
4. E.g. In CH₃OH, the functional group contains hetero atom ‘O’.
   In CH₃CH₂Cl, the functional group contains hetero atom ‘Cl’.