Essential Organic Chemistry: Functional Groups and Hydrocarbons

Halogenated Compounds

Halogenated compounds are formed by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with halogens. Application: Some compounds serve as solvents. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used for insulation in electrical cables, pipes, flooring, and building components.

Oxygenated Compounds

Alcohols

These are liquid, colorless, and less dense than water. They are used as antiseptics, solvents, fuels, and in the manufacture of liquors.

Aldehydes

Aldehydes react with hydrogen to produce primary alcohols and with oxygen to produce acids. They are used to preserve organic tissue samples, in the production of plastics and resins, and in the photographic, explosive, and dye industries.

Carboxylic Acids

These react with bases to form salts and react with metals to release hydrogen. They are used as acidulants and preservatives.

Ethers

Characterized by their lack of chemical reactivity, ethers are widely used as solvents in a large number of organic reactions.

Ketones

Ketones react with hydrogen to produce secondary alcohols. They are used as solvents for lacquers and resins, and in the production of plexiglass, epoxy resins, and polyurethane.

Esters

Esters are responsible for many fruit, flower, and perfume aromas. They are used in the preparation of polymers for resins, synthetic fibers, and plastics. Fats, oils, and waxes are esters of high molecular weight.

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons can be transformed into alkyl radicals and form covalent bonds with other elements or groups.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons: Alkenes

Alkenes are open-chain hydrocarbons containing at least one double bond. Application: They are used to synthesize other compounds. Ethene is used to produce polyethylene for bottles, containers, and various objects. Various synthetic rubbers are also derived from alkenes.

Alkynes

Alkynes are open-chain hydrocarbons containing at least one triple bond. Application: Acetylene is a gas that burns at very high temperatures, used in welding, metal cutting, and as a raw material for the synthesis of other organic compounds.

Closed-Chain Hydrocarbons: Alicyclic

These are compounds where the last carbon atom of the chain is linked to the first, forming a cycle.

• Cycloalkanes: Possess only single bonds.
• Cycloalkenes: Possess at least one double bond.
• Cycloalkynes: Possess at least one triple bond.

Applications: Many of these compounds are used as intermediates in chemical industries.

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

These compounds are characterized by a strong aroma and are often derivatives of benzene. Applications: Benzene is an effective solvent for organic compounds and serves as a raw material in chemical industries.

Functional Groups

A functional group is an atom or group of atoms that identifies compounds of the same organic family and is responsible for the similarity of their chemical properties.