Question

Write a short note.

Functional groups in carbon compounds

Answer 1

1. Many more types of carbon compounds are formed by formation of bonds of carbon with other elements such as halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur.
2. The atoms of these elements (hetero atoms) substitute one or more hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon chain and thereby the tetravalency of carbon is satisfied.
3. The compound acquire specific chemical properties due to these heteroatoms or the groups of atoms that contain heteroatoms, irrespective of the length and nature of the carbon chain in that compound.
4. Therefore, these hetero atoms or the groups of atoms containing hetero atoms are called functional groups.
   E.g. In CH₃ – OH, –OH (alcohol) is the functional group-containing heteroatom ‘oxygen’.