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Functional group facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A functional group is a special group of atoms within a larger molecule. Think of it like a specific part of a building block that gives the whole block its unique abilities. These groups are super important in organic chemistry because they decide how a chemical compound will act. They control its physical properties, like its melting point, and its chemical properties, like how it reacts with other substances.

What Functional Groups Do

Functional groups are the key to understanding how millions of different organic compounds behave. They are responsible for:

  • Chemical reactions: Most chemical reactions happen at the functional group. For example, an alcohol group will react differently than a carboxylic acid group.
  • Physical properties: Functional groups influence things like how easily a substance melts or boils, or if it can dissolve in water.
  • Classifying compounds: Scientists use functional groups to sort organic compounds into different families.

Common Functional Groups

Here are some common functional groups you might learn about:

Hydrocarbon Functional Groups

These groups are made only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

  • Alkanes: These are the simplest organic compounds. They only have single bonds between carbon atoms. They are not very reactive.
  • Alkenes: These have at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The double bond makes them more reactive than alkanes.
  • Alkynes: These have at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. They are even more reactive than alkenes.

Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups

These groups include oxygen atoms.

  • Alcohols: An alcohol group has an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (called a hydroxyl group, -OH). An example is the alcohol in drinks.
  • Aldehydes: These groups have a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydrogen atom. Formaldehyde is a simple example.
  • Ketones: Similar to aldehydes, but the carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen is connected to two other carbon atoms. Acetone, found in nail polish remover, is a ketone.
  • Carboxylic acids: These groups have a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and also single-bonded to a hydroxyl (-OH) group. They are acidic, like Acetic acid (vinegar).
  • Esters: These are often responsible for the pleasant smells of fruits and flowers. They are formed from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.
  • Ethers: In an ether, an oxygen atom is bonded to two carbon atoms. Diethyl ether was once used as an anesthetic.


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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Grupo funcional para niños

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