Skip to main content
Chemistry LibreTexts

16.5: Other Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    64111

    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts
    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

      Learning Objective

    • Identify the aldehyde, ketone, acid, ester, and ether functional groups.

    There are other functional groups that contain O atoms. Before we introduce them, we define the carbonyl group, which is formed when an O atom and a C atom are joined by a double bond:

    Structure of a carbonyl.

    The other two bonds on the C atom are attached to other atoms. It is the identities of these other atoms that define what specific type of compound an organic molecule is.

    If one bond of the carbonyl group is made to an H atom, then the molecule is classified as an aldehyde (If there are two H atoms, there is only 1 C atom). When naming aldehydes, the main chain of C atoms must include the carbon in the carbonyl group, which is numbered as position 1 in the carbon chain. The parent name of the hydrocarbon is used, but the suffix -al is appended. (Do not confuse -al with -ol, which is the suffix used for alcohols.) So we have

    Structures of methanal, ethanal, and propanal.

    Methanal has a common name with which you may be familiar: formaldehyde. The main thing to note about aldehydes is that the carbonyl group is at the end of a carbon chain.

    A carbonyl group in the middle of a carbon chain implies that both remaining bonds of the carbonyl group are made to C atoms. This type of molecule is called a ketone. Despite the fact that aldehydes and ketones have the same carbonyl group, they have different chemical and physical properties and are properly grouped as two different types of compounds. The smallest ketone has three C atoms in it. When naming a ketone, we take the name of the parent hydrocarbon and change the suffix to -one:

    Structure of propanone.

    The common name for propanone is acetone. With larger ketones, we must use a number to indicate the position of the carbonyl group, much like a number is used with alkenes and alkynes:

    Structure of 3-pentanone.

    There is another way to name ketones: name the alkyl groups that are attached to the carbonyl group and add the word ketone to the name. So propanone can also be called dimethyl ketone, while 2-butanone is called methyl ethyl ketone.

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Draw the structure of 2-pentanone.

    Solution

    This molecule has five C atoms in a chain, with the carbonyl group on the second C atom. Its structure is as follows:

    A five carbon chain with a carbonyl group on the second carbon.

    The combination of a carbonyl functional group and an OH group makes the carboxyl group.

    Structure of a carboxyl group.

    Molecules with a carboxyl group are called carboxylic acids. As with aldehydes, the functional group in carboxylic acids is at the end of a carbon chain. Also as with aldehydes, the C atom in the functional group is counted as one of the C atoms that defines the parent hydrocarbon name. To name carboxylic acids, the parent name of the hydrocarbon is used, but the suffix -oic acid is added:

    Structures of methanoic, ethanoic, and propanoic acids.

    Methanoic acid and ethanoic acid are also called formic acid and acetic acid, respectively. Formic acid is the compound that makes certain ant bites sting, while acetic acid is the active substance in vinegar.

    How acidic are carboxylic acids? It turns out that they are not very acidic. No carboxylic acid is on the list of strong acids (Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)). This means that all carboxylic acids are weak acids. A 1 M solution of formic acid is only about 1.3% dissociated into H+ ions and formate ions, while a similar solution of acetic acid is ionized by about only 0.4%. Some carboxylic acids are stronger—for example, trichloroacetic acid is about 45% dissociated in aqueous solution. But no carboxylic acid approaches the 100% dissociation amount required by the definition of a strong acid.

    As their name suggests, however, carboxylic acids do act like acids in the presence of bases. The H atom in the carboxyl group comes off as the H+ ion, leaving a carboxylate anion:

    carboxylate anion.png

    Carboxylate ions are named from the acid name: the -oic acid is replaced with -oate to name the ion.

    Example \(\PageIndex{2}\):

    Complete the chemical reaction. Can you name the carboxylate ion formed?

    Ethanoic acid reacts with OH-.

    Solution

    The OH– ion removes the H atom that is part of the carboxyl group:

    The carboxylate ion, which has the condensed structural formula CH3CO2−, is the ethanoate ion, but it is commonly called the acetate ion.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Complete the chemical reaction. Can you name the carboxylate ion formed?

    Methanoic acid reacts with OH-.

    Answer


    Methanoic acid reacts with OH- to form methanoate ion and water.
    The anion is the methanoate ion, which is commonly called the formate ion.

    One reaction to consider is that of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. When combined under the proper conditions, a water molecule will be removed, and the remaining pieces will combine to form a new functional group—the ester functional group:

    Carboxylic acid and an alcohol react to form an ester and water.

    Note how the acid molecule contributes one alkyl side (represented by R), while the alcohol contributes the other side (represented by R′). Esters are named using the alkyl group name from the alcohol plus the carboxylate name from the acid. For example, the molecule

    Structure of methyl propanoate.

    is called methyl propanoate.

    Chemistry is Everywhere: Esters, Fragrances, and Flavorings

    Esters are very interesting compounds, in part because many have very pleasant odors and flavors. (Remember, never taste anything in the chemistry lab!) Many esters occur naturally and contribute to the odor of flowers and the taste of fruits. Other esters are synthesized industrially and are added to food products to improve their smell or taste; it is likely that if you eat a product whose ingredients include artificial flavorings, those flavorings are esters. Here are some esters and their uses, thanks to their odors, flavors, or both:

    Table with four columns and seven rows. The first column on the left is labeled Ester and underneath in the rows has different esters. The second column is labeled Tastes/Smells Like and underneath in the rows has different tastes and smells. The third column is labeled Ester and underneath in the rows has different esters. The last and fourth column is labeled Tastes/Smells Like and underneath in the rows has different tastes and smells.
    Ester Tastes/Smells Like Ester Tastes/Smells Like
    allyl hexanoate pineapple isobutyl formate raspberry
    benzyl acetate pear isobutyl acetate pear
    butyl butanoate pineapple methyl phenylacetate honey
    ethyl butanoate banana nonyl caprylate orange
    ethyl hexanoate pineapple pentyl acetate apple
    ethyl heptanoate apricot propyl ethanoate pear
    ethyl pentanoate apple propyl isobutyrate rum

    Finally, the ether functional group is an O atom that is bonded to two organic groups: R-O-R′

    The two R groups may be the same or different. Naming ethers is like the alternate way of naming ketones. In this case, the R groups are named sequentially, and the word ether is appended. The molecule CH3OCH3 is dimethyl ether, while CH3OCH2CH3 is methyl ethyl ether. Diethyl ether, another ether, was once used as an anesthetic, but its flammability and toxicity caused it to fall out of favor. Smaller ether molecules that are liquids at room temperature are common solvents for organic chemical reactions.

    Key Takeaway

    • Aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, and ethers have oxygen-containing functional groups.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    1. Name a similarity between the functional groups found in aldehydes and ketones. Can you name a difference between them?
    2. Explain how a carboxylic acid is used to make an ester.
    3. Name each molecule.
      1. A chain of three carbons with an aldehyde on the third carbon.
      2. A chain of four carbons with a carbonyl on the third carbon.
    4. Name each molecule.
      1. A chain of four carbons with a methyl group and chlorine on the second carbon and an aldehyde on the fourth carbon.
      2. A chain of seven carbons with a carbonyl on the fourth carbon.
    5. Name each molecule.
      1. A chain of four carbons with a methyl group on the second carbon and a carbonyl and alcohol on the fourth carbon.
      2. A chain of three carbons is connected to an ethyl group by an ether on the third carbon. The third carbon also has a carbonyl.
    6. Name each molecule.
      1. A two carbon chain with three chlorines on the first carbon and a carbonyl and alcohol on the second carbon.
      2. A chain of two carbons with a carbonyl on the second carbon is attached to a chain of four carbons through an ether.
    7. Name the molecule. A chain of two carbons is connected to a chain of three carbons through an ether.
    8. Name the molecule. A benzene is connected to a chain of two carbons through an ether.
    9. Give an alternate but acceptable name to the molecule in Exercise 3b.
    10. Give an alternate but acceptable name to the molecule in Exercise 4b.
    11. Complete this chemical reaction. Propanoic acid reacts with <span class=KOH." style="width: 550px; height: 82px;" width="550px" height="82px" data-cke-saved-src="/@api/deki/files/96632/Ex_11.png" src="/@api/deki/files/96632/Ex_11.png" data-quail-id="209">
    12. Complete this chemical reaction. A chain of four carbons with two methyl groups on the second carbon and a carbonyl and hydroxy group on the fourth carbon reacts with sodium hydroxide.
    13. The drug known as aspirin has this molecular structure: Structure of aspirin. Identify the functional group(s) in this molecule.
    14. The drug known as naproxen sodium is the sodium salt of this molecule: Structure of naproxen. (The extra H atoms are omitted for clarity.) Identify the functional group(s) in this molecule.
    15. Identify the ester made by reacting these molecules. Propanoic acid reacts with propanol.
    16. Identify the ester made by reacting these molecules. Ethanoic acid reacts with butanol.

    Answers

    1. They both have a carbonyl group, but an aldehyde has the carbonyl group at the end of a carbon chain, and a ketone has the carbonyl group in the middle.
    2.  
      1. propanal
      2. 2-butanone
    4.  
      1. 3-methylbutanoic acid
      2. ethyl propionate
    6.  
    7. ethyl propyl ether
    8.  
    9. ethyl methyl ketone
    10.  
    11. H2O + KCH3CH2CO2
    12.  
    13. acid, ester, and aromatic (benzene ring)
    14.  
    15. propyl propionate

    This page titled 16.5: Other Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anonymous via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.