Functional groups are specific arrangements of atoms within molecules that impart characteristic chemical properties to the compound, regardless of the length and nature of the carbon chain. They often contain heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or halogens, which replace one or more hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon chain.
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Functional groups in organic chemistry are specific arrangements of atoms or bonds within a molecule that confer unique chemical and physical properties to the compound. They determine the reactivity and behavior of organic compounds. Examples include hydroxyl (-OH) in alcohols, carbonyl (C=O) in aldehydes and ketones, carboxyl (-COOH) in carboxylic acids, and amino (-NH₂) in amines. Functional groups impart characteristic features to molecules, influencing their solubility, acidity, basicity, and other chemical properties. Understanding functional groups is crucial in predicting and explaining the behavior of organic compounds in various reactions and their roles in biological, medicinal, and materials chemistry.