Organic Chemistry Tutorial: Functional groups and naming organic molecules.

by john west | Jun 9, 2011 | school posts, Year 13, K-14

Organic Chemistry Tutorial: Functional groups and naming organic molecules.

Naming organic molecules requires that you can recognise functional groups and follow a few simple rules.

Changing functional groups on the adrenaline molecule modifies its effects, some are suppressed others are enhanced.

Removing all of the -OH groups for instance turns adrenaline into amphetamine. Amphetamine echoes some of the properties of adrenaline.

Methamphetamine is another molecule with a similar structure. Methamphetamine abuse is a serious social issue in New Zealand where drug busts are a regular occurrence in Auckland suburbs.

Functional groups tutorial.

Organic Chemistry functional groups, AS 90309

by john west | Mar 21, 2011 | Uncategorized

Organic chemistry is the chemistry of molecules that are largely composed of carbon.
Many organic molecules have the same molecular formula but different structural formulae
Organic molecules are named with reference to the carbon skeleton and following rules
Functional groups attached to the carbon skeleton confer specific chemical properties to the molecule. ( -OH attached to the chain turns the molecule into an alcohol)

Adrenaline is an example of a molecule where changing functional groups attached to a 3 carbon chain can have a dramatic effect on the chemistry of a molecule.

If you have joined my class from Aaron’s group you should have a look at the video.

Finally look at this beautiful wee dancing molecule….

Name the molecule
What is its molecular formula
Name all possible structural isomers and draw full structural formulae

If you take the time to do this you will have no difficulty naming molecules with functional groups attached….but first watch this wee molecule dance.