Functional Groups and Nomenclature
Start with the big picture
The lesson surveys hydrocarbon parents and their naming suffixes, then classifies heteroatom groups such as alcohols, amines, and ethers. It distinguishes carbonyl derivatives, nitriles and isonitriles, sulfur-containing groups, and halides, highlighting structural features and selected property relationships. For IUPAC naming, the source outlines how to select the parent chain and principal functional group, apply functional-group priority, and number the structure. It also introduces substituent conventions, aromatic substitution patterns, and descriptors for stereochemistry and alkene geometry. Together, these principles provide a framework for reading and naming structures while relating functional groups to medicinal-chemistry considerations.
What you'll learn
- Identify common hydrocarbon and heteroatom functional groups in molecular structures.
- Distinguish major carbonyl derivatives, nitriles, sulfur groups, and halides.
- Apply functional-group priority and numbering principles in basic IUPAC naming.
- Recognize aromatic substitution patterns and common stereochemical descriptors.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
