CK-12-Chemistry Intermediate

25.3. Functional Groups http://www.ck12.org

organic compounds that hydrogen bond, aqueous solubility is affected by the lengths of the carbon chains. Smaller
amines are soluble in water, while larger ones are less soluble.

Amines generally have rather pungent or noxious odors. Ammonia can be considered the simplest amine and has
a very distinctive smell. Methylamine has an unpleasant odor that is often associated with dead fish. Amines are
frequently formed when the proteins in animal cells begin to decompose, so many of them have scents that are
associated with death and decay. The toxins that many animals use as a form of defense are often amines as well.
Amines are used industrially as dyes and are found in many drugs.

The table below (Table25.3) summarizes the main organic functional groups along with their general formulas.

TABLE25.3: Functional Groups

Functional Group Structure Compound Classification

Halogen

-X (X is F, Cl, Br, I)

Alkyl halide

Hydroxyl

-OH

Alcohol

Carboxyl Carboxylic acid

Carbonyl Aldehyde

Ketone

Ester Ester

Ether Ether