ABSTRACT
Discreet units of atoms that have special physical and/or chemical properties are known as functional groups. e C=C unit of alkenes and the C≡C unit of alkynes are examples of hydrocarbon functional groups. Functional groups are collections of atoms that exhibit the same physical and chemical properties. Functional groups are remarkably important in organic chemistry. e C-C unit of an alkane is not considered to be a functional group since it is the “backbone” of virtually all organic molecules. Functional groups can include atoms other than carbon or hydrogen, and the presence of these “other” atoms (call them heteroatoms) leads to new functional groups. Simple examples include C-OH, C=O, C=N, and C-NH.
