Functional Group

Key Stage 4

A functional group is a group of atoms responsible for the chemical properties of a compound.

There are four important functional groups you should know:

Alkanes - The functional group is the single bonds between Carbon atoms and between Carbon and Hydrogen atoms.
Alkenes - The functional group is the double bonds between Carbon atoms.
Alcohols - The functional group is the OH group attached to a Carbon atom.
Carboxylic Acids - The functional group is the double bond between a Carbon atom and an Oxygen atom and the single bond to an OH group on that same Carbon atom.