ORGANIC FAMILIES
Alcohols, Ethers, Aldehydes and Ketones
ORGANIC FAMILIES
A group of organic compounds with
common structural features that impart
characteristic physical and chemical
properties
 Contain a certain combination of atoms
called FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

Double and triple bonds between the
carbon:
 Allows

atoms to be added to the chain
A carbon bonded to oxygen, nitrogen or
a halogen:
 Results
in a POLAR bond thus raising the
boiling and melting point of the compound

A carbon double bonded to an oxygen:
 Results
in a POLAR bond thus raising the
boiling and melting point of the compound
ALKYL GROUPS
A hydrocarbon
group derived
from an alkane
 Has the general
formula “R”

Akyl Group
Akyl Formula
methyl-
-CH3
ethyl-
-C2H5
propyl-
-C3H7
butyl-
-C4H9
pentyl-
-C5H11
hexyl-
-C6H13
heptyl-
-C7H15
octyl-
-C8H17
nonyl-
-C9H19
decyl-
-C10H21
ALCOHOLS
An organic compound that contains a
HYDROXYL functional group
 The general formula for an alcohol is R-OH
 Have higher boiling points than alkanes
 Are more soluble in water than alkanes
 Will produce carbon dioxide and water when
burned
 Example: Ethanol is found in wine and beer.

NAMING ALCOHOLS




The first part of the name denotes the
NUMBER of carbon atoms in the molecule
The middle part of the name tells you the
molecule contains SINGLE bonds
The third part of the name refers to the
HYDROXYL group
If the alcohol begins with a NUMBER, the
hydroxyl group is attached to that number
carbon in the chain
NAMING ALCOHOLS

EXAMPLE: ETHANOL
 Contains
TWO SINGLE bonded carbons
with a HYDROXYL group

EXAMPLE: 2-PENTANOL
 Contains
FIVE SINGLE bonded carbons
with a HYDROXYL group on the
SECOND carbon
DRAWING ALCOHOLS
1. Draw the carbon
backbone
2. Add the hydroxyl group in
the appropriate location
3. Complete remaining
bonds with hydrogen
atoms
ETHERS
Involves an oxygen bonded to two carbon
atoms
 The general formula is R-O-R
 Ethers have a higher boiling point that
hydrocarbons but lower than alcohols
 Ethers make excellent solvents as they
readily mix with polar and nonpolar
substances

NAMING ETHERS
Start by adding OXY to the prefix of the
SMALLER hydrocarbon group
 Join the new prefix to the alkane name
of the LARGER hydrocarbon group
 EXAMPLE: CH3OCH2CH3

 This
compound is called
METHOXYETHANE
ALDEHYDES
A compound that contains a terminal
CARBONYL group
 The general formula is
 Smaller aldehydes have unpleasant odors
(e.g. formaldehyde) whereas larger
aldehydes have pleasant flowery odors.
 Soluble in water but not as soluble as
alcohols
 Very good solvents

KETONES
A compound where the carbon atom of
a CARBONYL group is bonded to two
carbon atoms
 The general formula is
 Many pheromones are ketones
 Soluble in water but not as soluble as
alcohols
 Very good solvents

NAMING ALDEHYDES
Names for aldehydes
are formed by
dropping the “e” in
alkanes and
replacing it with “AL”
 EXAMPLE:
METHANAL

NAMING KETONES
Ketones are named by
replacing the “e” of the
alkane with the ending
“ONE”.
 The position of the
carbonyl group must be
indicated by a number.
 EXAMPLE:
PROPANONE

PRACTICE

Draw structural formulas for the
following compounds:
1-pentanol
ethoxyethane
2-butanone
PRACTICE

Name the following compounds: