Functional groups in organic molecules
Below, a selection is given of 10 of the most common functional groups in organic molecules. When
more than one structure is drawn, each structure is an example of the functional group (they may not
be all possible examples). The symbol ‘R’ indicates some remaining part of the molecule, i.e. a carbon
atom with a number of other atoms attached.
The name indicated for each functional group refers to the name of the class or family of molecules
that contains that functional group. Please note:
1. Molecules can be part of more than one family of molecules if they contain more than one
functional group.
2. Other names, prefixes and suffixes exist when referring to these functional groups in
systematic names of molecules. For instance, a molecule with an –OH group is part of the
alcohol family of molecules, but in its systematic molecule name the presence of this group
will be indicated by the prefix hydroxy- or the suffix -ol. Learning the class names of these
functional groups is sufficient.
3. Some sources count alkyl side-groups (methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc.) also as functional groups.
NH2 H R
NH2 N N
Amine R R R R R R R
OH OH R
OH
Alcohol R R R R R
Benzene (derivative) R
O
R
Ester R O
O
Ether R R
O
Aldehyde R H
O
Carboxylic acid R OH
O
Ketone R R
O O O
R R
R NH2 R N R N
H
Amide R
H H R
H R H
H H H
Alkene R R R